Gregg Chosen as Closer

[Cubbies2238]

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1501479,kevin-gregg-cubs-closer-032909.article

 

Kevin Gregg has been anointed the Cubs' new closer, meaning Carlos Marmol will remain in the setup role where he has been so effective. Cubs manager Lou Piniella announced the decision today after speaking with both pitchers.

 

I would've been happy with either choice honestly, I just hope if Gregg starts to fall apart Piniella isn't afraid to switch roles.

Edited March 29, 2009 by Cubbies2238

[anabiono]

thank god...great choice

[laurens]

This isn't a surprise. I think he'll do a decent job.

[haubrich91]

Awesome news. Hopefully Marmol's performance doesn't falter due to him being angry (which he shouldn't be).

[cubbinalltheway]

great news. and the reason it's great is because it allows marmol to continue to be the firestopper, coming in as needed as opposed to when the inning says 9.

 

although, i do wonder how he feels about this. and on a related note, when will he be eligible for free agency? surely he realizes the financial impact this will have on him.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Marmol is first year arbitration eligible after this year, and is a free agent after 2012.

[FearTheBako]

great news. and the reason it's great is because it allows marmol to continue to be the firestopper, coming in as needed as opposed to when the inning says 9.

 

although, i do wonder how he feels about this. and on a related note, when will he be eligible for free agency? surely he realizes the financial impact this will have on him.

 

I really can't imagine this decision having that much of a financial impact on him. I realize how contracts these days are working, but if he takes a hit because he is not recording saves, he needs a new agent. If he stays healthy and effective until free agency, I expect him to get a huge contract regardless of saves.

[Outshined_One]

great news. and the reason it's great is because it allows marmol to continue to be the firestopper, coming in as needed as opposed to when the inning says 9.

 

although, i do wonder how he feels about this. and on a related note, when will he be eligible for free agency? surely he realizes the financial impact this will have on him.

 

I really can't imagine this decision having that much of a financial impact on him. I realize how contracts these days are working, but if he takes a hit because he is not recording saves, he needs a new agent. If he stays healthy and effective until free agency, I expect him to get a huge contract regardless of saves.

 

Agreed.

 

Plus, Marmol is best used as a fireman, imo. He is the best reliever on this staff and I want him pitching in situations where the game is potentially on the line, even if it is only the 5th or 6th inning.

[Cubswin11]

If Gregg has success how long until people start showing up to games in those ridiculous glasses he wears? It could be like Clement 2.0

[OleMissCub]

I'm definitely happy with this.

[treebird]

great news. and the reason it's great is because it allows marmol to continue to be the firestopper, coming in as needed as opposed to when the inning says 9.

 

although, i do wonder how he feels about this. and on a related note, when will he be eligible for free agency? surely he realizes the financial impact this will have on him.

 

I really can't imagine this decision having that much of a financial impact on him. I realize how contracts these days are working, but if he takes a hit because he is not recording saves, he needs a new agent. If he stays healthy and effective until free agency, I expect him to get a huge contract regardless of saves.

 

it'll likely cost him money in his arbitration years though. i know the cubs never go before an arbitrator, but the number the player would get absolutely plays a role in the negotiations. saves would absolutely be something an arbitrator would consider when selecting a salary.

[Soul]

If Gregg has success how long until people start showing up to games in those ridiculous glasses he wears? It could be like Clement 2.0

 

Won't take them long to put the glasses on if he succeeds.

 

Won't take them long to boo the crap out of him if he falters.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Fantasy leaguers must now take notice.

[Sammy Sofa]

Excellent.

[Illini Iceman]

If Gregg has success how long until people start showing up to games in those ridiculous glasses he wears? It could be like Clement 2.0

 

Won't take them long to put the glasses on if he succeeds.

 

Won't take them long to boo the crap out of him if he falters.

 

If Gregg isn't lights out in the first two weeks of the season and blows a save or two he will probably get booed every time he is on the field at Wrigley. That will put pressure on Piniella to put Marmol into the closers role for the rest of the season. We will then have our "educated" home fans to blame for not having these two guys in the right roles as they are now.

[USSoccer]

Smart on Lou.

[BCVM22]

If Gregg isn't lights out in the first two weeks of the season and blows a save or two he will probably get booed every time he is on the field at Wrigley. That will put pressure on Piniella to put Marmol into the closers role for the rest of the season. We will then have our "educated" home fans to blame for not having these two guys in the right roles as they are now.

 

For better or for worse, when has Lou ever capitulated to what the fans "think" should be done?

[JLN]

I read a bunch of people say that because Marmol is the best reliever on the roster he would best used to put out fires. I get that. But, unless I am misinterpreting the LI numbers, even last year when Marmol was in that role Wood was used in higher leverage situations. I am not sure I have a problem with Piniella's choice of Gregg as the closer as much as I have a problem with feeling the need to choose a closer in the first place.

[Hector89]

I just pray he doesn't turn into Antonio Alfonseca 2.0.

[Tracer Bullet]

great news. and the reason it's great is because it allows marmol to continue to be the firestopper, coming in as needed as opposed to when the inning says 9.

 

although, i do wonder how he feels about this. and on a related note, when will he be eligible for free agency? surely he realizes the financial impact this will have on him.

 

I really can't imagine this decision having that much of a financial impact on him. I realize how contracts these days are working, but if he takes a hit because he is not recording saves, he needs a new agent. If he stays healthy and effective until free agency, I expect him to get a huge contract regardless of saves.

 

it'll likely cost him money in his arbitration years though. i know the cubs never go before an arbitrator, but the number the player would get absolutely plays a role in the negotiations. saves would absolutely be something an arbitrator would consider when selecting a salary.

 

Marmol also seems pissed.

 

"Disappointed, yeah, of course it is," Marmol said of the situation, which he seemed to think was preordained. "I can't control this."

 

Marmol pitched for the Dominican Republic in the WBC but said he didn't feel that didn't make any difference.

 

"They knew what (they were going) to do before I got here," he said. "That's what I said when I said it was not 'competition.'"

[chuckywang]

The whole concept of a closer seems silly to me. You want your best pitcher to go in during high leverage situations. The need to save that pitcher because that isn't his role is sometimes stupid.

[CubColtPacer]

I read a bunch of people say that because Marmol is the best reliever on the roster he would best used to put out fires. I get that. But, unless I am misinterpreting the LI numbers, even last year when Marmol was in that role Wood was used in higher leverage situations. I am not sure I have a problem with Piniella's choice of Gregg as the closer as much as I have a problem with feeling the need to choose a closer in the first place.

 

I believe Wood ended up being in higher leverage situations overall but that's because Lou put Marmol into a bunch of 5-7 run games where he didn't need to be in. If he avoids more of those innings this year, his leverage average would go way up.

[JLN]

I read a bunch of people say that because Marmol is the best reliever on the roster he would best used to put out fires. I get that. But, unless I am misinterpreting the LI numbers, even last year when Marmol was in that role Wood was used in higher leverage situations. I am not sure I have a problem with Piniella's choice of Gregg as the closer as much as I have a problem with feeling the need to choose a closer in the first place.

 

I believe Wood ended up being in higher leverage situations overall but that's because Lou put Marmol into a bunch of 5-7 run games where he didn't need to be in. If he avoids more of those innings this year, his leverage average would go way up.

 

That's true, but I'm not convinced Lou will do that.

[BCVM22]

I hope Marmol's shaky spring and present disappointment aren't going to affect his performance once the team heads north.

[InconspicuousZ28]

The whole concept of a closer seems silly to me. You want your best pitcher to go in during high leverage situations. The need to save that pitcher because that isn't his role is sometimes stupid.

 

I agree completely. Use the pitcher that is best suited to get an out when needed in each certain situation.

 

I certainly don't understand why pitchers get upset when they aren't named the "closer." Must just be a money thing.