Gregg Chosen as Closer

[TruffleShuffle]

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.

 

it's probably more a macho thing than a money thing. the closer finishes out the game and gets the notoriety. nobody plays hell's bells for a middle reliever.

[cubsfan26]

Very smart move, I think Gregg will be a pretty solid closer for us. I expect him to be somewere around 35 of 41 in saves, with a 3.30-3.50 era this season. Now Marmol can be the weapon he was in the 7th and 8th the last two years. Hopefully Heilman is the 05-07 Heilman this season, and could give Marmol a breather. Bob Howry sucking caused Marmol to be overworked a tad too much last year.

[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.

 

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.

you can't be serious. closers, with their high saves totals, get paid and get paid well. setupmen, not so much.

[wvcbxl]

Am I the only one that thinks this is the right decision, but it was made for the wrong reason (ST numbers)?

[Guest]

Am I the only one that thinks this is the right decision, but it was made for the wrong reason (ST numbers)?

Don't really care why, just happy with the outcome. :)

[Tracer Bullet]

Am I the only one that thinks this is the right decision, but it was made for the wrong reason (ST numbers)?

 

Are we 100% sure the reasons for the decision? I have seen some of the comments from the parties involved. But I don't think we can be sure that Gregg wasn't the heavy favorite coming in. Lou may realize that Marmol is at least as valuable in the role he played last year and was paying lip service to the "competition."

[Mephistopheles]

i cant wait until teams stop making closers as a position.

[Brian]

Fantasy leaguers must now take notice.

 

I took Gregg like 2 rounds after Marmol went in my league last week.

[Rob]

i cant wait until teams stop making closers as a position.

 

Let's wait a year on that.

 

Gregg being the closer for us pretty much guarantees he enters next offseason as a Type A free agent... one we aren't likely to bring back. I certainly wont be crying when this move nets us a couple high draft picks.

[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.

you can't be serious. closers, with their high saves totals, get paid and get paid well. setupmen, not so much.

 

So your saying that scouts and general managers won't realize that Marmol is one of the best, young arms in the league and they wont give him huge contract offers simply because he is not recording saves? Even if he doesn't have 1 save from now, till the time he hits free agency, I would expect his 1st free agency contract be be near market value for elite closers. Teams will be lining up to get Marmol when he hits free agency. Hopefully its a non-issue and we have extended him by that time.

[Rob]

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.

you can't be serious. closers, with their high saves totals, get paid and get paid well. setupmen, not so much.

 

So your saying that scouts and general managers won't realize that Marmol is one of the best, young arms in the league and they wont give him huge contract offers simply because he is not recording saves? Even if he doesn't have 1 save from now, till the time he hits free agency, I would expect his 1st free agency contract be be near market value for elite closers. Teams will be lining up to get Marmol when he hits free agency. Hopefully its a non-issue and we have extended him by that time.

 

FA has nothing to do with it.

 

Save totals absolutely will effect what kind of money he gets paid during his arb-eligible years.

[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.

 

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.

you can't be serious. closers, with their high saves totals, get paid and get paid well. setupmen, not so much.

 

So your saying that scouts and general managers won't realize that Marmol is one of the best, young arms in the league and they wont give him huge contract offers simply because he is not recording saves? Even if he doesn't have 1 save from now, till the time he hits free agency, I would expect his 1st free agency contract be be near market value for elite closers. Teams will be lining up to get Marmol when he hits free agency. Hopefully its a non-issue and we have extended him by that time.

who's the last non closing reliever who got "elite closer" money? who's the last non closing reliever who got HALF of "elite closer" money?

 

you're dead wrong here.

[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.

you can't be serious. closers, with their high saves totals, get paid and get paid well. setupmen, not so much.

 

So your saying that scouts and general managers won't realize that Marmol is one of the best, young arms in the league and they wont give him huge contract offers simply because he is not recording saves? Even if he doesn't have 1 save from now, till the time he hits free agency, I would expect his 1st free agency contract be be near market value for elite closers. Teams will be lining up to get Marmol when he hits free agency. Hopefully its a non-issue and we have extended him by that time.

who's the last non closing reliever who got "elite closer" money? who's the last non closing reliever who got HALF of "elite closer" money?

 

you're dead wrong here.

 

Who's the last non closing reliever that has the arm that Marmol has? Lets be realistic, most of the guys with arms like his are either starting or closing games. Also, I don't agree that this will cost him money in arb, because I think he will ask for Closer money and the Cubs will ultimately accept.

[17 Seconds]

nobody is saying he wouldn't get paid even if he hits FA without closing experience. he'll just get a lot more if he is a closer at the time. thats just the way it works, even if it shouldn't

[Rob]

Also, I don't agree that this will cost him money in arb, because I think he will ask for Closer money and the Cubs will ultimately accept.

 

That's absurd.

 

"I know no arbitrator on earth would give me this contract, but I'm asking for it."

 

"Sounds great!"

[cubbinalltheway]

Who's the last non closing reliever that has the arm that Marmol has? Lets be realistic, most of the guys with arms like his are either starting or closing games. Also, I don't agree that this will cost him money in arb, because I think he will ask for Closer money and the Cubs will ultimately accept.

as good as marmol is, it's awfully absurd to suggest that there haven't been just as good, if not better, setup men than him.

[bcl412]

I think this is a great move by Lou but does anyone else fear that Lou's freedom to use Marmol when ever he wants will lead to overuse (like it did last year). If Marmol was closer Lou would only bring him in during the 9th inning save situation and could spare his arm.

[Outshined_One]

Who's the last non closing reliever that has the arm that Marmol has?

 

Francisco Rodriguez while Troy Percival was with the Angels immediately comes to mind.

[Mephistopheles]

quite a few...

[erik316wttn]

Absolutely the best choice.

 

I hope he does well in that role so Lou isn't tempted to tinker with Marmol there.

[ELCABALLO45]

Damnit.

[The Other 15]

Who's the last non closing reliever that has the arm that Marmol has? Lets be realistic, most of the guys with arms like his are either starting or closing games. Also, I don't agree that this will cost him money in arb, because I think he will ask for Closer money and the Cubs will ultimately accept.

as good as marmol is, it's awfully absurd to suggest that there haven't been just as good, if not better, setup men than him.

You're going to have to refresh my memory of set up men that were better than 210 K's in 150 IP and era+ or 326 and 167 over their first two full seasons. K-Rod qualifies as a equal and who else as better or equal?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Dotel was pretty good setting up for Wagner. He may not have been as dominant as Marmol, but he was close.

 

And of course, in 1996 Rivera was pretty damn good setting up for John Wetteland.

[Cubswin11]

Linebrink got a 4@19 deal from the Whitesox and he has never been a closer.

[cubbinalltheway]

Who's the last non closing reliever that has the arm that Marmol has? Lets be realistic, most of the guys with arms like his are either starting or closing games. Also, I don't agree that this will cost him money in arb, because I think he will ask for Closer money and the Cubs will ultimately accept.

as good as marmol is, it's awfully absurd to suggest that there haven't been just as good, if not better, setup men than him.

You're going to have to refresh my memory of set up men that were better than 210 K's in 150 IP and era+ or 326 and 167 over their first two full seasons. K-Rod qualifies as a equal and who else as better or equal?

this discussion is getting away from the original point -- that marmol the setup man will get paid less than marmol the closer, and i was thinking out loud (or on keyboard, i should say) how badly that will affect him. if you want to go through BR pages and see if i'm wrong in my notion that marmol isn't the best setup man ever, go for it. i don't really care to though.