Cubs manager Lou Piniella and his coaches watch another late lead slip away.
Lou Piniella has seen enough. Finally fed up after closer Kevin Gregg blew yet another save Monday in a crushing 4-1 loss at San Diego, the Cubs manager vows there will be changes made to the back end of the bullpen.
Here at FCP, we've been harping on this problem for months. We questioned Gregg's worthiness in May when he coughed up a 4-0, ninth-inning lead against the Astros. We raised the issue again in June when he blew a save at Detroit, and again after successive early-August meltdowns in Florida. On Monday, Gregg surrendered his major-league-worst third walk-off homer (to the Padres' Phil Blanks), and his sixth blown save in 29 chances is going to cost him the closer's job.
"I think we are going to make some changes as far as what we're going to do late innings," Piniella told reporters afterward. Calling the loss -- which left the Cubs six games behind the surging Cardinals in the NL Central -- one of the team's toughest of the season, Piniella said, "I can name a few of them, believe me. They all end the same way -- with a home-run ball."
Indeed, Gregg has yielded 12 home runs, more than any NL reliever. Given that startling statistic, it's surprising he managed to cling to the closer's role as long as he did.
So what should Lou do? You make the call: Elevate Carlos Marmol, despite his penchant for wildness? Or perhaps keep Marmol in the eighth-inning role where he has been so valuable, and give promising Angel Guzman a shot at closing?
Forget moving Ryan Dempster back to the bullpen, or trying Carlos Zambrano there, or going after someone like John Smoltz. The answer to the Cubs' closer crisis must come from the core of existing relievers. So, if you're the manager, who gets the call?
It's got to be Guzman. Marmol is too wild and unreliable. Gregg has proven he doesn't have what it takes. The Cubs are losing ground daily, or so it seems. About 2 weeks ago, one of the Cubs announcers said something like it was time for the Cubs to 'make a statement' and 'step up' (to take control of things in the NL Central). Hasn't happened yet and time is running out.
what ever happened to Samardzija? Why is he a starter now? Did he lose
that much velocity already? He is no more wild than Marmol. Gregg
has ALWAYS had the problem of inconsistency-I wonder what they
were thinking when they signed him? He is a Cub killer, so it's
best to have him on our team and not pitching against us.....although
it does seem as if he is still pitching against us...sometimes.
He is one good looking dude. I'll give him that. One thing about
us Cubs, is always better to look good than to play good.
I don't know why you don't consider moving Dempster back, as
he has proved himself to be a one year wonder as a starter. Grabow
definitley seems to have 'shut-down' stuff.....maybe that is the
right move for now.
Gregg should be released just like Smoltz was with the Red Sox. At this point of the season, you swing with Guzman and give him the first crack or just do the bullpen-by-committee rotation going with whoever is pitching the best. Marmol hasn't been wild in his last several appearances anyway so whatever, give him another chance then. It's pretty much desperation time, but regardless if the Cubs make a sort of "miracle" comeback this season, it's really time for a different look to this team by next season. Get the stupid sale process over with already and get the new owners to do a major overhaul to the roster, to the stadium, the GM, the farm system, etc... heck, even get rid of Lou and Trammell although they're not completely to blame. It's just time for a different look, period.
You're absolutely right Stu, the Cubs need to make a change NOW.
But who?
Marmol isn't ready. He may never be ready honestly. He walks/hit too many players to be relied upon in crunch time.
Angel Guzman? He's looked good, but I think he's not ready..to be the closer, he is ready to take over Marmol's role as primary setup man.
So who's gonna take over as closer? Simple, Rich Harden.
He's got terrific stuff, and would be a lights out closer. His injury history has proven that he can't stay healthy as a starter anyways. He only has two pitches, perfect for a closer.
I was pinning for a Harden move to closer since last year, but other bloggers scoffed, and now that I've been proven right, it's time to make the move.
While we're making correct moves, let's get rid of this overrated GM Jim Hendry. He's given one of the worst contracts(no trade clause included!) to Soriano, and outside of being to fleece a fire-sale team in Pittsburgh, hasn't made right moves, especially in the bullpen. He's the real reason the closer situation is the way it is. He was responsible for bringing in this clown Gregg in the first place! KEVIN GREGG LED THE LEAGUE IN BLOWN SAVES LAST YEAR! Is anyone surprised that he sucks??
Hendry's great judge of bullpen talent has given us Joe Borowski, Latroy Hawkins, Ryan Dempster, Kerry Wood, and of course Kevin Gregg. Not one of those pitchers had more then 35 saves in a season. Pathetic job by Hendry of evaluating bullpen talent and I can't wait for the Cubs to get sold so they can replace this overrated GM.
Stu responds: Harden is an interesting thought, RPK. His stuff would be lights-out in a one-inning save situation, and you're right in that he never goes deep enough into games to ever be a dominant starting pitcher. The issue is whether his arm would respond to being used on consecutive days, or having to warm up on short notice if the Cubs take a late lead, that sort of thing .... might be too delicate for the rigors of closing.
It doesn't matter what moves Pinella makes, this dog isn't going to hunt.
Perhaps they spent too much time reading the glowing predictions of spring training, and figured that they owned the division by divine decree. It seems as though they've spent the entire season "saving themselves" for the playoffs.
Zambrano makes me sick. The day they gave that petulant child his $91 million I predicted that he'd eat his way out of the majors within two or three years, ala Jamie Navarro.
When you're overweight, it's just a matter of time before the laws of physics catch up to you, and Carlos has done nothing to hold back the tide. You'd think that for as much money as he makes the guy would do everything under the sun in order to achieve and maintain optimum condition. Tall men (and women) are susceptible to back problems; it's just something that comes with the altitude. And his sloppy gut is stressing an already overburdened back.
The Cubs don't need a closer. The game is over, and the door has already been closed.
"While we're making correct moves, let's get rid of this overrated GM Jim Hendry. He's given one of the worst contracts (no trade clause included!) to Soriano ..."
Between Soriano, Fukedome, and Zambrano, Hendry has already handcuffed any prospective owner. Those contracts are un-moveable.
I believe they're referred to as "toxic assets" in the business world.
Rich Harden, RPK? The guy can barely start a game once a week and you want to throw him in the closer role that might require several consecutive day appearances at times? That's not gonna work. I understand he has "the stuff" to be a closer, but physically, his arm is too delicate to handle it. I wouldn't say Hendry is overrated. He's done some good things for the Cubs, but no doubt, he had a HORRIBLE offseason last Winter and just about everyone new he brought in to the team at the beginning of the season has failed miserably. It's not just 1 or 2 guys like the easy suspects of Gregg and Bradley. It's much more than that that I've already listed in numerous prior Cubs blog threads. Like I said earlier, it's time for an overhaul and a different look to the team by next season, but they have to FIRST get the team sale done and over with already!
Gregg sucked last year but that did not mean anything to the Cubs.
Bradley was an injury prone jerk but that did not stop the Cubs from giving him the big bucks.
Dempster has one good year and they re-sign him like he is Fergie Jenkins Jr.
What a sorry run mess.
Harden can barely pitch once a week let alone every other day.
They tried that act with Kerry Wood and he missed a month because he had a blister on his finger.
What do you think will happen to the delicate Harden?
Stick a fork in them and let the 35-year-old rookies play.
I agree with RPK and Stu - Harden is the answer. But I stand by my assessment of the CUBS. They have all the studs they need. Not Hendry's fault. I blame Lou for how these guys are being handled. And they all collectively need a kick in the pants. You don't win almost 100 games in a season if you are not really good. The Cubs are, so what's the problem? Untimely injuries of course, but two years in the post season Lou has been abysmal. And even with all of those injuries they are still good enough to beat the bums in the NL Central. It was a mistake to make changes. Hendry should not have changed the team, but he was looking at their post-season production and second guessed a 100 game winning season. That was Lou's fault.
Stu responds: Actually, Keith, I think Harden could be the answer IF his arm could handle the demands of closing .... but I don't think it can. Of course, they said the same thing about Kerry Wood's arm and he made the transition (although is isn't doing any better than Gregg this season).
'White Sox Fan Alert'; After sitting through a slight rain delay yesterday to watch the Sox play back-n-forth with Kansas City, and then have Linebrink give up two straight walks and a homer, to the BOTTOM HALF of the line-up, after TWO OUTS, a day after watching Jenks give up a walkoff homer, to a WEAK BAT, after TWO OUTS, I say a change of scenery may be just what the Dr. ordered.
Rx. Exchange Gregg and Marmol for Jenks and Linebrink and call me in the morning.
Samardzija goes to the Bears... they pick up Matt Jones...and now they have WR's...big ones and nobody can run with Matty
It's football season
throw Harden in at closer...although the delicate comment has me laughing as I type....how about Dainty, too
bring back roids...baseball has reached a new level of boring
I'm not ready to despair over the Cubs' season yet because, as Don Meredith once said, " It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings." However, I'm certainly fed up with Gregg. I'm for Marmol taking his place.As a closer, I think he will do great and will keep his concentration. What to do with Gregg is a tougher question. He can be good at times and generally throws strikes even though last night's walk with two outs cost him big time. Guzman as set-up man is a pretty decent option, but he is generally good for two or three innings as well and has been mostly solid in middle relief. Maybe Gregg could be used in the seventh inning. At least it will be interesting to see what happens tonight.I was so disgusted when Gregg gave up the tieing run that I quit watching and did not see the bitter end.
Samardzija, Marmol, as closers? Who are we kidding! These guys are not closer material and will have the same result as Gregg. The problem is coaching. Larry Rothschild is as much at fault as KG. The Cubs traded DeRosa and others supposedly for a pitching staff and this is the result. (DeRosa is now playing with a champion.) I suppose the only thing left at Wringley this season is the clown act in leftfield. I saw a little league kid jumping in the air before fielding a fly and the ball hit him in the head. That was entertainment.
For the past three seasons, the Cubs have lacked chemistry and toughness. Problem is -- no one at the managerial level or above seems to notice. Zambrano is an egomaniac who is breaking up the clubhouse and causing dissention. So instead of adding players who might challenge Z's grip on the clubhouse, they go get another "me-first" player (Soriano). That doesn't quite work, so they go get another "me-first" player (Bradley). Two wrongs don't make a right -- even with Cubs' logic.
If the Cubs come out tonight and lay down for the Padres again, they might complete this West Coast trip with a big goose egg in their left hand column.
Navarro - I saw that game last night - THANK GOODNESS FOR PODSEDNIK!!!!! Linebrink has entered the - Mike McDouglas stage of his career. I thought I would never see a guy that awful again!!! Linebrink is ready for AAA. Jenks is ok, he just has to remember that heater he has and just keep it high. Ozzie is giving this guy every chance and I am done with him. When the Whitesox part with you - you've had every chance possible. See Brian Anderson for reference.
I would trade Linebrink for a warm, flat, already opened bottle of Dr. Pepper in heartbeat.
I would not even care if it had someone's potato chip floaters in it.
Anything to get this loser out of the Sox bullpen.
Keith, what or who is the Mike McDouglas phase of a career? Are you channeling the now-dead talk show host from the 1970s?
Any chance you'll be at the Sox game Friday night, channeling Elvis? Can I meet up with you and buy you a diet coke?
Hey Keith, I was up in 552 so you had a better angle of things than I did, but when you walk two bottom tier batters, the second on four straight pitches, with two out and your team up by 3, you are either a very DUMB pitcher, or you don't belong in the majors; 0 for 2!
I don't even blame the guy for the homer, that was Ozzies' fault. He should have brought in the lefty, especially after watching Linebrink falter faster than Brett Favre during the last 6 games last season.
Beavis and Butthead!
What is going on in the present situation???
I can remember when a pitcher would pitch both games of a double header.
Why is a closer necessary to finish a game????
If the present pitcher has a lead why change???
The only reason would be to subsatute a power hitter for the pitcher
in the last couple of innings.
Am I completely out of my mind
Ernie
Bubba's Mom - I wish I could pull it off! I owe the Sox some more money. I try to keep my word. JR paid and so will I. Just in case I am able to make it, how can I find you?
McDougal was that lanky pitcher we had last year that looked like one of the Bee Gees. He was a complete head-case and walking Schleprock! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_Luck_Schleprock. Linebrink has taken his place in the pen.
Anthony - I paid for 500 but watched the game from the fundamentals deck with my son (8) and about 15 other dads. Talking about an upgrade! Beautiful from about the second level.
Linebrink-of-Destruction is what I have nicknamed him. And just a few years ago this guy was lights out. But now, he is a trainwreck waiting to happen. Ozzie and Coop are patient because if righted - this guy was one of the best. At one point he was giving Jenks a much needed break.
KEITH -
I will be in Sec 159 or 160, right below Fundamentals. Accessible section right behind the seats. White jeans, black Sox hat, pink sox shirt, but no Elvis sideburns.
B-Mom, "thank you very much" for the invite!
Alas, I won't be able to make it! Those are some GREAT seats! I have a meeting I cannot miss and I have grass to cut waiting for me at home. I will be watching from trully the best seat - at home!