I figured with the closer shake-up in Chicago, I’d address the situation. Eric Karabell over at ESPN.com starts yickin’ and yackin’ about Carlos Marmol’s control issues.
I’m surprised Kevin Gregg lasted this long with six blown saves and a four and a half earned run average to be honest. Gregg’s longevity more than anything effected Marmol in 2009. Marmol’s always had his problems walks, but it’s never been this bad. Marmol’s currently walking almost a full batter per inning pitched (8.31 BB/9).
As Spring Training came to a close, it was fairly clear that Marmol was disappointed with his role on the team. At least to me, it seemed like Marmol had been appointed the “closer in waiting”. Furthermore, it seems like Carlos Marmol just doesn’t care as much as he used to. Proclamations like this fly in the face of just about everything else that I write, but they’re equally as plausible.
This is why I’d be trying to get Carlos Marmol, if at all possible. If the Cubs and Piniella give him a little bit of a leash, he could dominate. Marmol still throws hard, still has a nasty slider, and still brings the gas.
Karabell obviously proposes Angel Guzman as an option and that makes a lot of sense. In most leagues, Marmol’s probably stuck on the bench of someone who gave up 2 months ago, so Guzman may be your only option. At first glance, it appears as though Guzman’s getting fairly lucky leaving 86% of batters on base and posting a .217 BABIP. Guzman does have the giddy-up and stuff to dominate during the dog-days. Of course none of this matters if the Cubs continue their free-fall.
If Marmol is just disinterested, it’ll probably take him a bit to regain his form. If he’s available and you can spare a bench spot for a week, it makes a lot of sense to take a flier and let him ride the pine for a week or so.
