Lou: Gregg is no longer the closer

[UMFan83]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-18-cubs-padres-chicago-aug18,0,2154939.story

 

Lou Piniella has finally seen enough.

 

After Kevin Gregg gave up four two-out runs in the ninth inning in a 4-1 loss to the Padres on Monday night, Piniella said he plans on removing Gregg from the closer's role.

 

"I think we're going to make some changes as far as what we're going to do in late innings," Piniella said. "We'll have some more tomorrow."

 

Piniella didn't say who would be his new closer, though Carlos Marmol and Angel Guzman are considered the likeliest candidates.

[OleMissCub]

not that it matters much anyways, but....

 

 

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/1696/blackkid.gif

[Flames24Rulz]

I'm pretty surprised that he went through with this.

 

Too little, too late.

[TruffleShuffle]

frankly i'm ready to give up on this season so i'd leave gregg in that role, hope he piles up a bunch of pointless saves and then hope he signs with a team and gives us two early picks in next year's draft. i don't really expect the cubs to operate with that mindset though.

[chuckywang]

Is it too extreme to go with a closer by committee? Just play matchups until the game ends.

[17 Seconds]

let's be honest..... it's a huge surprise that he even made it this long.

[Andy]

Is it too extreme to go with a closer by committee? Just play matchups until the game ends.

If you ask me, it's not extreme at all. With this pool of candidates that's probably the best option, other than making Guzman the closer, which the Cubs are - somewhat understably given his history - loath to do.

 

Lou had to do this. The fans are about ready to come at Gregg like an angry mob.

[RedFlash]

Is it too extreme to go with a closer by committee? Just play matchups until the game ends.

 

I absolutely loathe the idea of "closer by committe". But considering that Gregg is trying to single handedly demoralize the Cubs to a point of giving up, closer by committee might actually be an upgrade over having Gregg.

Edited August 18, 2009 by RedFlash

[17 Seconds]

i see no reason not to let guzman try. nobody else has earned it. plus maybe it will give him a little closing experience and maybe be the closer next year too.

[RedFlash]

i see no reason not to let guzman try. nobody else has earned it. plus maybe it will give him a little closing experience and maybe be the closer next year too.

 

I don't have a problem with going with Guzman, but the Cubs would be wise---if they do decide to make Guzman the closer---to treat him with kid gloves as closer.

[Little Slide Rooter]

frankly i'm ready to give up on this season so i'd leave gregg in that role, hope he piles up a bunch of pointless saves and then hope he signs with a team and gives us two early picks in next year's draft. i don't really expect the cubs to operate with that mindset though.

 

While I agree with the giving up the season part, why not pull Gregg from the role an see if Marmol or Guz are capable? If they look like they can handle it, maybe they can keep the job next year. If not, we'll need to get one in the ofseason, as I really dont see Gregg back next year.

[Schwarber Fan]

It obviously should be Guzman be we all know it will be Marmol, because the Cubs just never do it right.

[toonsterwu]

frankly i'm ready to give up on this season so i'd leave gregg in that role, hope he piles up a bunch of pointless saves and then hope he signs with a team and gives us two early picks in next year's draft. i don't really expect the cubs to operate with that mindset though.

 

If Gregg is offered arbitration and is Type A, I'll be surprised if any team steps in and offers a deal. If he's Type B, maybe. Haven't checked to see what Eddie Bajek is listing these days.

[Sammy Sofa]

frankly i'm ready to give up on this season so i'd leave gregg in that role, hope he piles up a bunch of pointless saves and then hope he signs with a team and gives us two early picks in next year's draft. i don't really expect the cubs to operate with that mindset though.

 

While I agree with the giving up the season part, why not pull Gregg from the role an see if Marmol or Guz are capable? If they look like they can handle it, maybe they can keep the job next year. If not, we'll need to get one in the ofseason, as I really dont see Gregg back next year.

 

Not that Gregg should stay in the role, but seeing if a reliever can "do the job" right now is very easily not indicative of whether or not they'll be able to do it again the next season.

[Little Slide Rooter]

frankly i'm ready to give up on this season so i'd leave gregg in that role, hope he piles up a bunch of pointless saves and then hope he signs with a team and gives us two early picks in next year's draft. i don't really expect the cubs to operate with that mindset though.

 

While I agree with the giving up the season part, why not pull Gregg from the role an see if Marmol or Guz are capable? If they look like they can handle it, maybe they can keep the job next year. If not, we'll need to get one in the ofseason, as I really dont see Gregg back next year.

 

Not that Gregg should stay in the role, but seeing if a reliever can "do the job" right now is very easily not indicative of whether or not they'll be able to do it again the next season.

 

Its worth a shot though. The only FA closer Id really want next year would be Valverde, and he'll probably want close to K Rod money and thats not something that Cubs can or should offer this offseason.

 

As for Gregg, Im not kidding when I say just put him through waivers. If hes not the closer, theres really no point on him being on the team, and Id just assume go Grabow/Marshall-Marmol-Guzman as the end game, and have someone like Berg, Gaub, or Stevens who could actually be a part of the teams future take Greggs pen spot.

[Banedon]

Am I nuts for thinking Marshall should get a shot at closing?

[Wheelimus]

No, you're nuts because you still care who the Cubs closer is at 60-56 and six games back in the division. Don't worry, you're not alone my friend in nut-case-ness. :(

 

If Gregg is a type A, there's no way in hell you offer arbitration because he's going to accept it. Our only hope is that he's a Type B. Haven't lost yet betting on his mediocrity though...

[dew1679666265]

Its worth a shot though. The only FA closer Id really want next year would be Valverde, and he'll probably want close to K Rod money and thats not something that Cubs can or should offer this offseason.

 

If he ends up being available, I'd want Rafael Soriano. He'd likely be cheaper than the Valverdes/KRods of the world and he's much better.

 

As for Gregg, Im not kidding when I say just put him through waivers. If hes not the closer, theres really no point on him being on the team, and Id just assume go Grabow/Marshall-Marmol-Guzman as the end game, and have someone like Berg, Gaub, or Stevens who could actually be a part of the teams future take Greggs pen spot.

 

The problem with waiving Gregg and losing him now is that we can offer him arbitration after the year and, perhaps, get a pick or two for him. Even if he ends up as a Type B, we'd get a sandwich pick for him. That's better than putting him on waivers.

[NeifiIsMyHomeBoy]

Why can't we give Kevin Gregg a fake injury? I really don't care who closes, but I'm guessing it will be Marmol. If thats the case it will probably be just as bad as having Gregg in there.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm pretty surprised that he went through with this.

 

Too little, too late.

 

He hasn't actually gone through with anything yet. Lou declares lots of plans right after games, and probably less then half of them are carried through, and the rest probably last a game or two. I fully expect Gregg to pitch in normal closing save situations in the relatively near future.

[erik316wttn]

Too late, Lou. You should have made the move after he blew consecutive saves in Florida.

[Pushfrog98]

I'm pretty surprised that he went through with this.

 

Too little, too late.

 

He hasn't actually gone through with anything yet. Lou declares lots of plans right after games, and probably less then half of them are carried through, and the rest probably last a game or two. I fully expect Gregg to pitch in normal closing save situations in the relatively near future.

I mostly agree with you, but he did finally take Soriano out of the lead-off spot. Granted it was about 2 seasons later than he should have been taken out.

[SouthSideRyan]

I'm pretty surprised that he went through with this.

 

Too little, too late.

 

He hasn't actually gone through with anything yet. Lou declares lots of plans right after games, and probably less then half of them are carried through, and the rest probably last a game or two. I fully expect Gregg to pitch in normal closing save situations in the relatively near future.

I mostly agree with you, but he did finally take Soriano out of the lead-off spot. Granted it was about 2 seasons later than he should have been taken out.

 

It wasn't 2 seasons too late because Soriano was very good the last 2 seasons. He was moved because he wasn't producing this season, not because of some ancient belief in what a leadoff hitter should be.

[Old Style]

Can we dress Gregg up in a KKK robe & hood and drop him off in South Central L.A. in a few days?

[kujay]

Wow, welcome to the party, Lou. Glad you could make it.

 

Jesus this team sucks. Everything about it.