Lou Piniella named Kevin Gregg the closer today over Carlos Marmol, and I think it's a good move.
The closer's role is sexier, but Marmol is one of the best set-up men in the game, and that's an awfully important role, too.
Gregg's pitched well in the spring after giving up nine blown saves last year. He did battle knee problems last season.
And just because this is the order now, doesn't mean Piniella can't adjust if things don't go according to plan.
Marmol hasn't been great in the spring, but he'll be there when it counts.
For now, this was the right move to make.
Agreed, Roman. Simply put, based on performances and stats alone, Gregg has had the better Spring than Marmol. If Gregg starts blowing saves early on again, then you make the switch until someone steps up to the plate and gets the job done. This is how it should always be.
Why is there a need to "name" someone as the closer in the first place?
Use them as needed and one of them will eventually out perform the other.
Giving one of them a title based on exhibition games; including games that one player pitched against players in the WBC really does not mean that much.
This is right up there with naming the starting pitcher for opening day as far as irrelevance as to what is going to happen during the season.
Totally agree with you, Roman. Choosing Gregg to be the closer is the safe, but smart pick by Piniella. Marmol is a terrific 8th-inning guy, and he'll definitely get his innings. Should Gregg falter at some point, over a stretch of games or a week, then Marmol will be there to pick up the slack.
It would be much more difficult to give the ball to Marmol in the 9th, and, if he were to have a tough time at it, take it away from him. It might damage his confidence, and could hurt his game in the 8th inning. Also, if Gregg struggles when he gets the closer's job, how odd will it be when Lou has to go back to Marmol to get the job done?
Yes, this had to be the move. The Spring Training Gregg had coupled with the WBC meltdown that Marmol had, it's the best move to start the year. That being said, because they're so close in ability and Gregg has no experience playing under the intense scrutiny of the Wrigley fans and the media, Marmol will have the job before the year's over.
I like Gregg as closer, mainly because he has proven results in the role.
However, I do not like the way Piniella handled this situation. He should have told Marmol that it was Gregg's job from the get-go, but Marmol was the future. Marmol has been very shakey all spring, and with him being a relatively young player...I am concerned about his confidence now in '09.
Chickenfoot, to be a successful closer in the Major Leagues, that pitcher must not only have the talent and arm, but he also has to have that special "moxie", that special quality and agressiveness which makes him MENTALLY STRONG to handle that position as Closer. If you're worried that Marmol's confidence will be shaken (and there are reports that Marmol is already whining in the papers that he never had a chance as Closer from the very beginning), then you know what, he should NEVER be a Closer. What Marmol must do know is be motivated to prove people (and Piniella wrong) and kick some a-- to regain his rightful position. If he continues the pouting and blows leads from his setup role, then fans will quickly forget about booing Kosuke Fukudome from his play last season, believe me. Gregg was specifically brought in to provide competition and as insurance policy in case Marmol couldn't handle things. Right now, the Cubs have proven right in that acquisition.
Man, this is shaping up to be a great year for Cub watching...
All that talent and Lou still can't take them beyond a first round sweep (can you spell pressure? P-I-N-I-E-L-L-A)...
A brooding Marmol...
No Mr. Utility Man (DeRosa)...
Micah Hoffpauir taking at bats from D. Lee (and D. Lee not liking it too much)...
Milton Bradley...
Z and Bradley in the same clubhouse...
A sophomore jinx for G. Soto (honestly, I hope not, but they overplayed him last year)?...
Dempster returning to earth's atmosphere...
New owners...
Same old drunk fans...
Do I hear 101 years of futility?
Could be.
Given this spring's stats, arguing against Gregg is difficult. Even so, I was surprized, because I thought Marmol had earned the right to be the closer.With the game on the line, I still would rather see Marmol on the mound. I watched him shut the door in tough situations all last year, and until this spring knew almost nothing about Gregg. I certainly hope he works out and have enough faith in Lou to figure he had his reasons for the choice, but Marmol is still the man in my book.
Philtration sez: "This is right up there with naming the starting pitcher for opening day as far as irrelevance as to what is going to happen during the season."
Agreed. And I'll go even further by saying that from start to finish, every Cubs season is next to irrelevant anyway, so what does it matter who the 'C'loser is?
But the Cubbie Chubbies are in full bloom, and the Koolaid is flowing unabated.
Suggestion: Cubs fans should change their choice of beverage to hemlock.
Hey,Villano, try some of that hemlock yourself. You obviously cannot emulate Socrates because he was smart, but the hemlock thing might be appropriate.
Yeah ... why drink hemlock when your team is already good at choking without it?
Living overseas now I'm a bit behind on these things, but Gregg, really? I don't recall any teams winning the World Series during Spring Training; similarly, the stats then are mixed bag. Putting up nice pitching stats is fine while hitters are "working on some things."
Marmol has earned the job with clutch performances during the actual season. I'm *really* sick of hearing the word "future" attached to Cubs' players. Corey Patterson, Felix Pie were the "future"...wonder if Marmol's next? It's not a confidence issue; it's a question of simply making a choice and letting the guy play.
Nobody told Jonathon Papelbon he was too young or needed more seasoning in Boston. He performed in the clutch; he has the job. Cubs' can't seem to handle young talent and it's pathetic, really.