The Cincinnati Reds have built their team to win it all this season. The Reds needed a set up man and traded for the league's best, Sean Marshall. Team MVP Votto is nearing free agency.
So what happens when new closer Ryan Madson (32 saves last season in Philly) goes down with a serious elbow injury? Internal closer candidates are Marshall, Nick Masset or A. Chapman, the 100 mph flamethrower that the Reds GM wants in the rotation. Manager Dusty Baker wants Chapman in the bullpen. This internal debate has now come out in the open with Madson's injury.
The only other option would be to trade for a closer. Teams that have closers do not want to give them up. Teams out of contention will trade a closer for a bundle of top prospects.
Would Carlos Marmol fit into the Reds bullpen as the closer?
There are no proven closers left in the free agent market. A team like the Cubs, that knows they will not contend this year or next, would give up a closer for more "assets." But in a year or two, the Cubs if the turnaround is successful, would themselves be in the market for a closer. Closers are hard to time by, or are expensive to sign.
