Lou: Gregg is no longer the closer

[dew1679666265]

Well, if the contract details posted above are correct, he's owed about $3 million more this season, with a team option of $8 million for next season. If you want to bring him back next year for $4-5 million, you first have to buy him out for $1 million. Even then, he might get a better offer elsewhere.

 

Cot's agrees with Wikipedia on Wagner's contract.

 

I'd have some interest in Wagner, but I wouldn't give up much of a prospect. Al Alburquerque level or a little better is about as high as I'd go. Wagner was excellent last year, so extreme regression would seem unlikely - depending on how he recovers from TJS. I don't know if he'd offer much this season, but if we're not giving up much I wouldn't oppose it.

[moorecg]

CST Twitter says it's Marmol

I set the over/under at 3.5 save opportunities until Lou removes Marmol from closer role.

 

3.5 walks per inning

[17 Seconds]

what a pathetic organization

[DiamondMind]

Carlos Marmol was the most dominant reliever in baseball last year, yet Lou Piniella went with Kevin Gregg at closer to begin the season. Five months later Marmol has issued 52 walks and plunked 11 batters in 56.1 innings, yet Piniella handed him the closer job Tuesday after Gregg predictably struggled while posting a 4.47 ERA and blowing six saves in 29 chances.

 

Marmol has been nowhere near as good as he was last season because he's rarely been able to throw the ball over the plate consistently, but remains extremely difficult to hit with 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings and a .163 opponents' batting average. He'll obviously need to stop walking a batter per inning to have success, but he's just as clearly the Cubs' best bet for a shutdown guy and Gregg was misca! st in the role.