If Marmol continues to close games...

[Sammy Sofa]

What the hell is with so many people talking like Dempster has been having a crappy year as a closer?

 

Don't get me wrong, I love what Marmol has done and think he could easily be a better, cheaper and more consistent closer than Dempster for years to come, but some people here are talking like he's replacing some reign of terror with Dempster as a closer.

 

And I guess I'm missing something with Marmol...why is there zero talk of him starting? I don't know much about him outside of what little I saw last year...does he have injury issues? Does he fall apart after 3-4 innings?

[CubColtPacer]

What the hell is with so many people talking like Dempster has been having a crappy year as a closer?

 

Don't get me wrong, I love what Marmol has done and think he could easily be a better, cheaper and more consistent closer than Dempster for years to come, but some people here are talking like he's replacing some reign of terror with Dempster as a closer.

 

And I guess I'm missing something with Marmol...why is there zero talk of him starting? I don't know much about him outside of what little I saw last year...does he have injury issues? Does he fall apart after 3-4 innings?

 

Most people like Marmol as a reliever because he has 2 pitches and is prone to control issues. As a reliever, he can be taken out if his control is off, and that option is not available as a starter. Add to that the extra velocity on his fastball as a reliever, and it adds up to the possibility of developing into a good starter while being a very good reliever right now.

[Sammy Sofa]

What the hell is with so many people talking like Dempster has been having a crappy year as a closer?

 

Don't get me wrong, I love what Marmol has done and think he could easily be a better, cheaper and more consistent closer than Dempster for years to come, but some people here are talking like he's replacing some reign of terror with Dempster as a closer.

 

And I guess I'm missing something with Marmol...why is there zero talk of him starting? I don't know much about him outside of what little I saw last year...does he have injury issues? Does he fall apart after 3-4 innings?

 

Most people like Marmol as a reliever because he has 2 pitches and is prone to control issues. As a reliever, he can be taken out if his control is off, and that option is not available as a starter. Add to that the extra velocity on his fastball as a reliever, and it adds up to the possibility of developing into a good starter while being a very good reliever right now.

 

Gotcha. Thanks!

[Skyballer]

The only thing worse than trying to trade Dempster for no apparent reason would be making him a starter for no apparent reason.

 

I like the idea of trading him to Detroit or some other team that needs bullpen help. He's a "proven closer" to some extent and could be dealt now (after he's been back for a little while) for real value.

 

I have to agree, if Marmol does well then Dempster could bring in good player(s).

[sherwood921]

Let Dempster close. He hasn't been as bad as everyone thinks. Then Marmol is a lot more versatile in that he can come in for 2 innings to hold a lead or one or two guys to get you out of a jam with a K. Let him be what Dotel was in Houston before he became a closer.

[soccer10k]

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/448674,CST-SPT-gordo29.article

 

I really hadn't seen this article before I made my post.

 

at the end of the article--

 

"And if Marmol becomes the guy now, Dempster might be able to start making that transition to starter he was supposed to make last month. The Cubs aren't in the market for a starter, but a move like that would give them more depth and right-left possibilities in the rotation -- or the kind of quality pitching depth to trade for something useful at the deadline a month from now."

 

Maybe they could trade him as a starter?

 

Even that would be stupid because he's got more value as a closer.

 

There's no reason the Cubs should be looking to do anything with Dempster other than keep him in the closers role.

[Sammy Sofa]

Our bullpen has been "good" for a relatively short while. Let's hold on before we start casting off important parts like Dempster. I'm baffled as to why people are acting like he's been horrible this year.