The Dodgers made a surprise move in acquiring Carlos Marmol from the Cubs. The Dodgers made an even more surprising move by designating Marmol for assignment, less than 24 hours after acquiring him.
MLBTR states that Peter Gammons reports that the Dodgers were only interested in the $209.000
international bonus slot they acquired in the deal, not in retaining
Marmol as a member of their bullpen.
The Cubs claimed that the deal gave them some salary relief. But MLBTR indicates that the Dodgers spent about $500K of actual
money to acquire just under $210K of pool money.
So Marmol is in another 10 day limbo period.
UPDATE: New reports indicate that Marmol has already been placed on outright waivers. If no team claims him, the Dodgers can move him to the minors. It was also reported that Marmol has agreed to go to the minor leagues and try to work out his struggles there.
Showing posts with label Marmol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marmol. Show all posts
July 3, 2013
July 2, 2013
TRADING TRASH
The Cubs finalized the trade of Carlos Marmol to the Dodgers.
The Cubs had 10 days to trade or release Marmol after designating him for assignment. The Dodgers decided to acquire Marmol using a player it had also designated for assignment, reliever Mark Guerrier.
Guerrier has not pitched full time since 2011. This season, in 34 appearances, he was 2-3, 4.80 ERA, 1.467 WHIP, 1.75 K/BB ratio in 30 IP.
Guerrier, 34, for his career has gone 25-33 with 112 holds, six saves and 3.54 ERA in 513 major league appearances.
Marmol is owed more than $5 million on his $9.8 million for this season, and reports indicate the Dodgers will absorb some of the money owed Marmol on the last year of his contract.
The other part of the deal of note is that the Dodgers received $209,000 from the Cubs international signing bonus pool money. As with the Torreyes deal today, the Cubs needed to acquire international bonus pool cap money in order to sign the number one international player. But they needed to sweeten the Dodger deal to get some minimum salary relief on Marmol (approximately $1 million).
The Cubs had 10 days to trade or release Marmol after designating him for assignment. The Dodgers decided to acquire Marmol using a player it had also designated for assignment, reliever Mark Guerrier.
Guerrier has not pitched full time since 2011. This season, in 34 appearances, he was 2-3, 4.80 ERA, 1.467 WHIP, 1.75 K/BB ratio in 30 IP.
Guerrier, 34, for his career has gone 25-33 with 112 holds, six saves and 3.54 ERA in 513 major league appearances.
Marmol is owed more than $5 million on his $9.8 million for this season, and reports indicate the Dodgers will absorb some of the money owed Marmol on the last year of his contract.
The other part of the deal of note is that the Dodgers received $209,000 from the Cubs international signing bonus pool money. As with the Torreyes deal today, the Cubs needed to acquire international bonus pool cap money in order to sign the number one international player. But they needed to sweeten the Dodger deal to get some minimum salary relief on Marmol (approximately $1 million).
June 26, 2013
DISTRACTION
Cubs GM Jed Hoyer said the team DFA's Carlos Marmol because he was becoming a "distraction" to the team. Since no team is willing to trade for Marmol or his contract, it is expected that the Cubs will shortly release Marmol.
However, one must beg to differ on the reason why Marmol was dismissed: how was he a distraction?
From all press accounts, Marmol was a professional. He sat at his locker and took all questions from the reporters, after good outings or bad outings. He never lost his composure to the media. He was like by his teammates. There were never any reports of being a disruptive person in the locker room.
So why was he now a distraction?
Distraction is defined as a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else; or an extreme agitation of the mind or emotions.
There is no evidence that Marmol never gave his full attention to pitching or had emotional issues.
In comparison, Ian Stewart was a distraction. He went on twitter rants and blasted the Cubs for letting him "rot" in Iowa, even though he was only batting .168. After his rehab time in Iowa, he took three days off when he was outrighted there after clearing waivers. The Cubs released Stewart after he served a 10 day suspension for cause.
Marmol was never such a headache. Marmol was just a bad pitcher. But the Cubs staff is filled with bad pitchers. Edwin Jackson has a 5.84 ERA; Hector Rondon has a 6.23 ERA; Shawn Camp has a 6.53 ERA; Zach Putnam had an 18.90 ERA.
Perhaps, Hoyer misspoke when he said Marmol had become a distraction. Instead, Hoyer needed to create a distraction by releasing Marmol to divert the fans attention to how bad the Cubs team had become under his leadership.
However, one must beg to differ on the reason why Marmol was dismissed: how was he a distraction?
From all press accounts, Marmol was a professional. He sat at his locker and took all questions from the reporters, after good outings or bad outings. He never lost his composure to the media. He was like by his teammates. There were never any reports of being a disruptive person in the locker room.
So why was he now a distraction?
Distraction is defined as a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else; or an extreme agitation of the mind or emotions.
There is no evidence that Marmol never gave his full attention to pitching or had emotional issues.
In comparison, Ian Stewart was a distraction. He went on twitter rants and blasted the Cubs for letting him "rot" in Iowa, even though he was only batting .168. After his rehab time in Iowa, he took three days off when he was outrighted there after clearing waivers. The Cubs released Stewart after he served a 10 day suspension for cause.
Marmol was never such a headache. Marmol was just a bad pitcher. But the Cubs staff is filled with bad pitchers. Edwin Jackson has a 5.84 ERA; Hector Rondon has a 6.23 ERA; Shawn Camp has a 6.53 ERA; Zach Putnam had an 18.90 ERA.
Perhaps, Hoyer misspoke when he said Marmol had become a distraction. Instead, Hoyer needed to create a distraction by releasing Marmol to divert the fans attention to how bad the Cubs team had become under his leadership.
June 25, 2013
THE AXE FALLS
Pual Sullivan of the Tribune tweets that the Cubs have designated for assignment Carlos Marmol and released Ian Stewart. The Cubs also promoted left handed hitting outfielder Brian Bogusevic to the major league roster.
Bogusevic is hitting .319, with 10 HR, 32 RBI at Iowa this year. In 146 games last season, he hit .203 for the Astros. His promotion can only mean that it is a showcase promotion to add to any future trades.
Marmol could only really handle 7th or 8th inning duty. He was a two pitch pitcher who could not throw his fastball for strikes to keep batters honest. In 2013, Marmol was 2-4, 5.86 ERA with 1,699 WHIP. For his Cub career, Marmol was 23-32, 3.50 ERA with 117 saves.
The amazing aspect of this report is that the Cubs basically decided to eat $5 million in dead money without even the hope of getting any return for either Marmol or Stewart.
Marmol was a former closer who had lost his command. Apparently, the Cubs coaching staff of "teachers" could not fix Marmol's problems. Just as it does not bode well for Marmol, it does scream staff failure.
Stewart was a front office disaster from the beginning of spring training. He was a malcontent who was injured last season and failed to produce as a starting third baseman. Instead of cutting ties this spring, the Cubs rewarded Stewart with a $2 million contract. Stewart reacted by immediately getting hurt, then disruptively sulking in Iowa.
Bogusevic is hitting .319, with 10 HR, 32 RBI at Iowa this year. In 146 games last season, he hit .203 for the Astros. His promotion can only mean that it is a showcase promotion to add to any future trades.
Marmol could only really handle 7th or 8th inning duty. He was a two pitch pitcher who could not throw his fastball for strikes to keep batters honest. In 2013, Marmol was 2-4, 5.86 ERA with 1,699 WHIP. For his Cub career, Marmol was 23-32, 3.50 ERA with 117 saves.
The amazing aspect of this report is that the Cubs basically decided to eat $5 million in dead money without even the hope of getting any return for either Marmol or Stewart.
Marmol was a former closer who had lost his command. Apparently, the Cubs coaching staff of "teachers" could not fix Marmol's problems. Just as it does not bode well for Marmol, it does scream staff failure.
Stewart was a front office disaster from the beginning of spring training. He was a malcontent who was injured last season and failed to produce as a starting third baseman. Instead of cutting ties this spring, the Cubs rewarded Stewart with a $2 million contract. Stewart reacted by immediately getting hurt, then disruptively sulking in Iowa.
June 17, 2013
GOING, GOING . . . . STAYING
People are up in arms over Dale Sveum's use of Carlos Marmol in the Mets series.
Sveum put Marmol in the game in the 9th. The Cubs were leading 3-0.
Marmol has a Marmol moment, flushing the lead and game away by yielding a walk-off three run home run to a AAA batter just called up to the majors.
The Mets are bad. The Cubs are worse.
It may have been a directive to "show case" Marmol to prospective East Coast teams. Most general managers know by now whether they will be trade deadline buyers or sellers. There is going to be a demand for closers at the deadline.
Marmol probably solidified his ticket to play out his contract with the Cubs.
The Cubs have blown 15 save opportunities so far this year (second only to the Dodgers.) The Dodgers are in need of a closer. It would be ironic that the best available closer may be Kevin Gregg, the same player the Dodgers cut in spring training. One analyst thought the Dodgers would not trade for Gregg, because that would be a screaming acknowledgement that the ream screwed up its original roster.
The Tigers are in need of bullpen help, so the rumors are starting to bubble that Detroit could kick the tires on Gregg. Beat reporters have indicated that the Tigers have had no interest in Marmol.
Sveum put Marmol in the game in the 9th. The Cubs were leading 3-0.
Marmol has a Marmol moment, flushing the lead and game away by yielding a walk-off three run home run to a AAA batter just called up to the majors.
The Mets are bad. The Cubs are worse.
It may have been a directive to "show case" Marmol to prospective East Coast teams. Most general managers know by now whether they will be trade deadline buyers or sellers. There is going to be a demand for closers at the deadline.
Marmol probably solidified his ticket to play out his contract with the Cubs.
The Cubs have blown 15 save opportunities so far this year (second only to the Dodgers.) The Dodgers are in need of a closer. It would be ironic that the best available closer may be Kevin Gregg, the same player the Dodgers cut in spring training. One analyst thought the Dodgers would not trade for Gregg, because that would be a screaming acknowledgement that the ream screwed up its original roster.
The Tigers are in need of bullpen help, so the rumors are starting to bubble that Detroit could kick the tires on Gregg. Beat reporters have indicated that the Tigers have had no interest in Marmol.
November 19, 2012
BULLPEN SHUFFLE
The Cubs re-signed their 2012 MVP: Shawn Camp.
Camp, 37, was a journeyman released from the Mariners camp. The Cubs signed him to a minor league deal, then promoted him to be a middle reliever.
Camp will earn $1.35 million in 2013 with $200,000 in bonus incentives.
In 2012, he had a career high 80 game appearances, which led the majors. He went 3-6, 3.59 ERA in 77.2 IP. He had 54 SO, 21 BB, 1.288 WHIP. In all told, a average major league middle reliever stat season.
It seemed the Cubs were in the process of shuffling their bullpen this off season. First, the Cubs were on the cusp of trading closer Carlos Marmol to the Angels for Dan Haren. Even though that deal did not go through, it does appear that the Cubs want to part with Marmol this off season.
The Cubs previously signed low tier free agent pitchers Zach Putnam (waivers from Rockies) and Carlos Guiterrez (off waivers from the Twins) to replace Manny Corpas, Miguel Socolovich, and/or Jason Berken in the bullpen.
There are also reports that the Cubs met with Japan free agent closer Kyuji Fujikawa. Fujikawa, 32, was a top closer in Japan for the last six seasons. He was ranked the 34th best free agent by MLBTR.
His career numbers: 26-18, 1.36 ERA, 202 saves, 369.2 IP, 510 K, 94 BB, 1.028 WHIP.
Marmol, 30, is in the last year of his current deal. He will be paid $9.8 million in 2013, which is on the high end of closers. Marmol went 3-3, 3.38 ERA, 20 saves in 55.1 IP. He had a high WHIP of 1.536, which showed he had control issues. He had 72 K to 45 BB. One can see the Cubs trying to dump Marmol's salary this off-season and take a flyer on a nominal free agent closer.
Camp, 37, was a journeyman released from the Mariners camp. The Cubs signed him to a minor league deal, then promoted him to be a middle reliever.
Camp will earn $1.35 million in 2013 with $200,000 in bonus incentives.
In 2012, he had a career high 80 game appearances, which led the majors. He went 3-6, 3.59 ERA in 77.2 IP. He had 54 SO, 21 BB, 1.288 WHIP. In all told, a average major league middle reliever stat season.
It seemed the Cubs were in the process of shuffling their bullpen this off season. First, the Cubs were on the cusp of trading closer Carlos Marmol to the Angels for Dan Haren. Even though that deal did not go through, it does appear that the Cubs want to part with Marmol this off season.
The Cubs previously signed low tier free agent pitchers Zach Putnam (waivers from Rockies) and Carlos Guiterrez (off waivers from the Twins) to replace Manny Corpas, Miguel Socolovich, and/or Jason Berken in the bullpen.
There are also reports that the Cubs met with Japan free agent closer Kyuji Fujikawa. Fujikawa, 32, was a top closer in Japan for the last six seasons. He was ranked the 34th best free agent by MLBTR.
His career numbers: 26-18, 1.36 ERA, 202 saves, 369.2 IP, 510 K, 94 BB, 1.028 WHIP.
Marmol, 30, is in the last year of his current deal. He will be paid $9.8 million in 2013, which is on the high end of closers. Marmol went 3-3, 3.38 ERA, 20 saves in 55.1 IP. He had a high WHIP of 1.536, which showed he had control issues. He had 72 K to 45 BB. One can see the Cubs trying to dump Marmol's salary this off-season and take a flyer on a nominal free agent closer.
November 3, 2012
FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE
There is a disturbing trend in the new Cubs front office. The Dempster for Delgado trade to Atlanta was botched because of a lack of communication. And now, a late night deal to acquire a quality starter fell by the wayside due to apparent communication issues.
The Cubs were going to trade closer Carlos Marmol to the Angels for starter Dan Haren. The deadline was midnight for the Angels to exercise Haren's $15.5 million option for 2013. The plan was to exercise the option and trade Haren for a player. Otherwise, the Angels would decline the option, pay the $3.5 million buyout and let Haren become a free agent.
Haren was one of the potential targets for the Cubs in the free agent market. The Cubs are in desperate need for rotation help, and if Haren stays healthy, he could be flipped at the July, 2013 deadline for more prospects.
Marmol would make $9.8 million in 2013. Reports indicate that Marmol did not object to the trade.
Initial reports stated that the Cubs were "confused" over the Haren buy-out contract language.
Why would the Cubs be confused with a buy-out clause when it is standard practice in player contracts? And why would the Cubs care about the buy-out because it would be moot if the player option was exercised for 2013, which had to be a condition of the trade?
If that was the reason, then that is pretty dumb.
However, ESPN's Bruce Levine reported on the radio this morning that the hang-up over the deal was money.
The true reason may have been about equalizing salaries. Haren would have made $15.5 million. Marmol will make $9.8 million. That is a $5.7 million difference. If the Cubs were looking for the Angels to trade Haren with $5 million in cash for Marmol, that would have been a deal killer. And that would also have been a dumb move.
It is a hard sell to pay a new closer, who you will only have for 2013 season, the equivalent of $14.8 million. So the Angels would have balked at such a deal.
But from a Cub prospective, Marmol's $9.8 million is dead money. The Cubs are projected for another 100 loss season, so an expensive closer is a payroll burden. If the Cubs would have off-loaded Marmol's salary, that would have been a financial plus in the payroll budget because the Cubs still had to sign several starters this off season. To get Haren today, it will cost the Cubs at least $15 million plus Marmol's contract which is still on the books. At the very least, a straight up deal would have given the Cubs the flexibility to use Marmol's $9.8 salary slot to sign another free agent starting pitcher. So trying to get cash from the Angels was a dumb move.
The Cubs could have immediately upgraded the rotation with the Haren deal. He would be the #1 or #2 starter for 2013. Now, if the Cubs want Haren, it will cost the team MORE money than what was involved in the Angels deal.
This is another strange trade tale. It is also a clear signal that the Cubs are money conscious. Despite a horrible season, the team refused to really reduce any of the season ticket package prices. Instead, shifting any discounts to increases in single game ticket prices. In addition, the team is attempting to crack down on season ticket re-sellers which makes little sense since there was no viable secondary ticket market for a bad Cubs team in 2012.
The Cubs were going to trade closer Carlos Marmol to the Angels for starter Dan Haren. The deadline was midnight for the Angels to exercise Haren's $15.5 million option for 2013. The plan was to exercise the option and trade Haren for a player. Otherwise, the Angels would decline the option, pay the $3.5 million buyout and let Haren become a free agent.
Haren was one of the potential targets for the Cubs in the free agent market. The Cubs are in desperate need for rotation help, and if Haren stays healthy, he could be flipped at the July, 2013 deadline for more prospects.
Marmol would make $9.8 million in 2013. Reports indicate that Marmol did not object to the trade.
Initial reports stated that the Cubs were "confused" over the Haren buy-out contract language.
Why would the Cubs be confused with a buy-out clause when it is standard practice in player contracts? And why would the Cubs care about the buy-out because it would be moot if the player option was exercised for 2013, which had to be a condition of the trade?
If that was the reason, then that is pretty dumb.
However, ESPN's Bruce Levine reported on the radio this morning that the hang-up over the deal was money.
The true reason may have been about equalizing salaries. Haren would have made $15.5 million. Marmol will make $9.8 million. That is a $5.7 million difference. If the Cubs were looking for the Angels to trade Haren with $5 million in cash for Marmol, that would have been a deal killer. And that would also have been a dumb move.
It is a hard sell to pay a new closer, who you will only have for 2013 season, the equivalent of $14.8 million. So the Angels would have balked at such a deal.
But from a Cub prospective, Marmol's $9.8 million is dead money. The Cubs are projected for another 100 loss season, so an expensive closer is a payroll burden. If the Cubs would have off-loaded Marmol's salary, that would have been a financial plus in the payroll budget because the Cubs still had to sign several starters this off season. To get Haren today, it will cost the Cubs at least $15 million plus Marmol's contract which is still on the books. At the very least, a straight up deal would have given the Cubs the flexibility to use Marmol's $9.8 salary slot to sign another free agent starting pitcher. So trying to get cash from the Angels was a dumb move.
The Cubs could have immediately upgraded the rotation with the Haren deal. He would be the #1 or #2 starter for 2013. Now, if the Cubs want Haren, it will cost the team MORE money than what was involved in the Angels deal.
This is another strange trade tale. It is also a clear signal that the Cubs are money conscious. Despite a horrible season, the team refused to really reduce any of the season ticket package prices. Instead, shifting any discounts to increases in single game ticket prices. In addition, the team is attempting to crack down on season ticket re-sellers which makes little sense since there was no viable secondary ticket market for a bad Cubs team in 2012.
July 7, 2012
THE ANCHOR SINKS THE SHIP
When the Cubs blew up the bullpen in the off-season to rebuild the starting rotation, some critics felt that a team that is rebuilding should not destroy its best and set part for the sake of "over correcting" a known deficiency.
Bad teams are usually bad just about everyone, as the Cubs have shown all season long. But the bullpen has been Exhibit A since the beginning of the season. It was so bad that even Kerry Wood decided it was better to retire.
In last night's Mets opener, Carlos Marmol, the bullpen anchor, was back to his really bad form. Marmol had a four-run lead to hold onto and barely made it through the 9th.
"The ninth inning was exciting," rookie Anthony Rizzo said in the Tribune. "But it sure was good to win." Only a rookie can call "bad" the word "exciting."
With an 8-4 lead in the ninth, Marmol gave up a solo home run to Jordany Valdespin, walked the bases loaded and gave up a two-run single to Ike Davis to make it a one-run game. Manager Dale Sveum already had used Shawn Camp and James Russell and had Chris Volstad warming up in the bullpen in case of emergency.
"If they tied it, he was out," Sveum said. "(Manny) Corpas was down with back spasms, so it would've been Volstad."
But Marmol induced Lucas Duda to hit a liner back to him, and he threw to Rizzo for the game-ending double play.
Bad teams are usually bad just about everyone, as the Cubs have shown all season long. But the bullpen has been Exhibit A since the beginning of the season. It was so bad that even Kerry Wood decided it was better to retire.
In last night's Mets opener, Carlos Marmol, the bullpen anchor, was back to his really bad form. Marmol had a four-run lead to hold onto and barely made it through the 9th.
"The ninth inning was exciting," rookie Anthony Rizzo said in the Tribune. "But it sure was good to win." Only a rookie can call "bad" the word "exciting."
With an 8-4 lead in the ninth, Marmol gave up a solo home run to Jordany Valdespin, walked the bases loaded and gave up a two-run single to Ike Davis to make it a one-run game. Manager Dale Sveum already had used Shawn Camp and James Russell and had Chris Volstad warming up in the bullpen in case of emergency.
"If they tied it, he was out," Sveum said. "(Manny) Corpas was down with back spasms, so it would've been Volstad."
But Marmol induced Lucas Duda to hit a liner back to him, and he threw to Rizzo for the game-ending double play.
Volstad, a failed starter, as a reliever to your erratic closer?? Fans were staring into the abyss of hell with that notion.
The future of the bullpen is shaky. Marmol, 29, is owed $9.8 million for 2013. He is a free agent in 2014. Currently, he has zero trade value and his contract is an anchor around his neck. In 2012, he is 1-2. 5.61 ERA in 31 games. He has pitched 25.2 IP, 20 H, 28 BB, 33K, 1.870 WHIP and 8 saves. His lack of control and no confidence in his fastball (which is his now secondary pitch) makes him more of a batting practice pitcher than a major league closer.
But there are not many options. Former Rockies closer and rehab project de jour, Manny Corpas, is now considered injury prone. Corpas, 29, has given the Cubs 0-0 record, 1.98 ERA in 13 games. He has only pitched 13.2 IP, 10 H, 8 BB, 9K, 1.171 WHIP. He can go through arbitration and retained to 2014, but that seems to be a waste of a roster space long term.
Another reconstruction project is Shawn Camp. Camp, 36, is 2-4, 2.86 ERA in 42 games. He has pitched 44 IP, 39 H, 12 BB, 1.114 WHIP and one save. He has been the random plug in a leaky bullpen. But at age 36, he is not the future and is not part of the rebuilding plans.
From the Cubs own system, James Russell, 26, appears to have developed into a solid lefty reliever. He is 2-0, 2.86 ERA in 42 games. He has pitched 40.2 IP, 36 H, 18 BB, 1.254 WHIP and 2 saves. His father, Jeff Russell, was a major league closer. James does not have the overpowering stuff to be a consistent closer, but he is a valuable piece (like Sean Marshall was last season) in any bullpen.
Rafael Dolis looks like closer material. He has the size and look of the Lee Smith-type reliever. Dolis, 24, is 2-4, 6.75 ERA in 25 games. In his 26.2 IP, he has 23 H, 20 BB, 11K, 1.613 WHIP and 4 saves. He was the team save leader when he was last demoted to Iowa. Since that point, Marmol took over the closer role from the bullpen committee. Dolis' stats are high for a reliever, but this is his first extended tour with the Cubs. It is unknown whether he will develop into a quality reliever, but this is the year to test him.
Complicating the problem is that the Cubs farm system is devoid of AAA and AA pitchers who can immediately fill needs in the rotation or the bullpen. The Cubs drafted 22 pitchers, but almost all will start out in instructional- rookie ball and will not make it to AAA for three or four years.
The only way to trade Marmol at this point would be to package him with other players the trade partner really needs (a starter in Dempster or an infielder like Barney) PLUS eat most of Marmol's remaining salary for 2012 and 2013. If every trade requires the Cubs to pay to get rid of its dead money contracts, there will be no budget for the team to fill in roster spots with veteran free agents in 2013 and 2014. And that is the Catch-22 the Cubs find themselves: their star specialists are too expensive and/or too bad to trade for prospects.
The future of the bullpen is shaky. Marmol, 29, is owed $9.8 million for 2013. He is a free agent in 2014. Currently, he has zero trade value and his contract is an anchor around his neck. In 2012, he is 1-2. 5.61 ERA in 31 games. He has pitched 25.2 IP, 20 H, 28 BB, 33K, 1.870 WHIP and 8 saves. His lack of control and no confidence in his fastball (which is his now secondary pitch) makes him more of a batting practice pitcher than a major league closer.
But there are not many options. Former Rockies closer and rehab project de jour, Manny Corpas, is now considered injury prone. Corpas, 29, has given the Cubs 0-0 record, 1.98 ERA in 13 games. He has only pitched 13.2 IP, 10 H, 8 BB, 9K, 1.171 WHIP. He can go through arbitration and retained to 2014, but that seems to be a waste of a roster space long term.
Another reconstruction project is Shawn Camp. Camp, 36, is 2-4, 2.86 ERA in 42 games. He has pitched 44 IP, 39 H, 12 BB, 1.114 WHIP and one save. He has been the random plug in a leaky bullpen. But at age 36, he is not the future and is not part of the rebuilding plans.
From the Cubs own system, James Russell, 26, appears to have developed into a solid lefty reliever. He is 2-0, 2.86 ERA in 42 games. He has pitched 40.2 IP, 36 H, 18 BB, 1.254 WHIP and 2 saves. His father, Jeff Russell, was a major league closer. James does not have the overpowering stuff to be a consistent closer, but he is a valuable piece (like Sean Marshall was last season) in any bullpen.
Rafael Dolis looks like closer material. He has the size and look of the Lee Smith-type reliever. Dolis, 24, is 2-4, 6.75 ERA in 25 games. In his 26.2 IP, he has 23 H, 20 BB, 11K, 1.613 WHIP and 4 saves. He was the team save leader when he was last demoted to Iowa. Since that point, Marmol took over the closer role from the bullpen committee. Dolis' stats are high for a reliever, but this is his first extended tour with the Cubs. It is unknown whether he will develop into a quality reliever, but this is the year to test him.
Complicating the problem is that the Cubs farm system is devoid of AAA and AA pitchers who can immediately fill needs in the rotation or the bullpen. The Cubs drafted 22 pitchers, but almost all will start out in instructional- rookie ball and will not make it to AAA for three or four years.
The only way to trade Marmol at this point would be to package him with other players the trade partner really needs (a starter in Dempster or an infielder like Barney) PLUS eat most of Marmol's remaining salary for 2012 and 2013. If every trade requires the Cubs to pay to get rid of its dead money contracts, there will be no budget for the team to fill in roster spots with veteran free agents in 2013 and 2014. And that is the Catch-22 the Cubs find themselves: their star specialists are too expensive and/or too bad to trade for prospects.
April 30, 2012
PLAYING YOURSELF OUT OF A TRADE
There are times where a player plays himself out of being traded; by playing inconsistently or plain bad.
There are exceptions to the rule, like Byrd being shipped to Boston with a .071 batting average. But the Red Sox had a desperate need for a starting OF with three outfielders hurt. The trade helped Byrd get to .300 in AL. The only reason Byrd got dealt was that the Cubs ate most of the salary.
But Cubs closer Marmol is a different story. His mechanics continue to be bad. He has serious control problems, aggravated by his falling off the mound to first base. His slider is erratic and when he uses a fastball, he cannot find the corners of the plate for strikes. Early American filmmakers used to set up cameras on single tracks to capture head on train wrecks. Marmol is a slow motion train wreck in progress. Even yesterday's five run lead was not safe when Marmol took the mound in the 9th.
After trading Marshall for minor leaguers, there was no reliever on the squad that could take the closer's role away from Marmol. However, Dolis seemed to be the one guy pitching coach Bosio is willing to take a gander at: Dolis got his first major league victory and save last week. The big, burley right hander may not put the Lee Smith style fear of god in batters, but he does have a good enough fastball if his control is good.
Garza threw another good game. Garza and Marmol are the remaining the two potential trade candidates when spring training broke camp. Trade a veteran with a team with need near the trade deadline for a bunch of prospects who can help in 2014.
If Marmol was pitching lights out, then there would be some team who would see value in a shut-down closer (after many contenders have lost their closers to arm injuries). One or more could actually take Marmol and his $7 million contract for high quality prospect or two. But as of today, there are no takers for Marmol in the open market. Even if the Cubs eat most of Marmol's contract, most GMs would be wary of what kind of pitcher they are getting in return.
So Marmol is the perfect Catch-22. He has played badly enough not to be traded, but no bad enough to be demoted or sent to the minors.
There are exceptions to the rule, like Byrd being shipped to Boston with a .071 batting average. But the Red Sox had a desperate need for a starting OF with three outfielders hurt. The trade helped Byrd get to .300 in AL. The only reason Byrd got dealt was that the Cubs ate most of the salary.
But Cubs closer Marmol is a different story. His mechanics continue to be bad. He has serious control problems, aggravated by his falling off the mound to first base. His slider is erratic and when he uses a fastball, he cannot find the corners of the plate for strikes. Early American filmmakers used to set up cameras on single tracks to capture head on train wrecks. Marmol is a slow motion train wreck in progress. Even yesterday's five run lead was not safe when Marmol took the mound in the 9th.
After trading Marshall for minor leaguers, there was no reliever on the squad that could take the closer's role away from Marmol. However, Dolis seemed to be the one guy pitching coach Bosio is willing to take a gander at: Dolis got his first major league victory and save last week. The big, burley right hander may not put the Lee Smith style fear of god in batters, but he does have a good enough fastball if his control is good.
Garza threw another good game. Garza and Marmol are the remaining the two potential trade candidates when spring training broke camp. Trade a veteran with a team with need near the trade deadline for a bunch of prospects who can help in 2014.
If Marmol was pitching lights out, then there would be some team who would see value in a shut-down closer (after many contenders have lost their closers to arm injuries). One or more could actually take Marmol and his $7 million contract for high quality prospect or two. But as of today, there are no takers for Marmol in the open market. Even if the Cubs eat most of Marmol's contract, most GMs would be wary of what kind of pitcher they are getting in return.
So Marmol is the perfect Catch-22. He has played badly enough not to be traded, but no bad enough to be demoted or sent to the minors.
April 16, 2012
MEDIC!
Giants closer Brian Wilson will have to have Tommy John surgery. He will be lost for at least 18 months.
The Giants have spent a fortune on starting pitching, some analysts believe it is the best rotation in the NL.
But a loss of a closer so early in the season can blow up a championship run right out of the gate.
The Giants organization is the most budget conscious group in the majors. They refuse to add any big money to the payroll during the season. With Wilson gone, it appears that the team will try to bandage the bullpen closer role from within the team and minor league system.
There really is only one known free agent closer. Mike Gonzalez is available, but he has lost his status the last few years. He split time between Baltimore and Texas last season in more of a mop-up role.
The other prospect would be trading for a known closer. The only teams that would give up a closer are teams that know that they will not be in the race. Astros closer Brett Myers is going to be shopped at the trading deadline. Houston is in the midst of new ownership and a tear down of the roster. The team is looking to add depth at all positions and Myers is the best chip on the team to trade. However, his $11 million salary will put off most teams.
The Cubs Marmol may also be available. He also has a high salary. But Marmol has known command issues at times which may scare off teams in the heart of a pennant race more than his salary.
For whatever reason, the closer (9th inning) role has taken on more significance in recent years due to the sabremetric specialization of all baseball roles. There are some excellent 8th inning relievers who mentally cannot handle a "promotion" to the closer role.
It will be interesting to see how the Giants will mend their broken bullpen, especially when the Dodgers have had their best opening record in franchise history (9 wins one loss).
UPDATE:
Giants Manager Bruce Bochy has told the media that he would handle the Wilson loss with his current bullpen. The Giants had the second-lowest bullpen ERA in the National League in 201. Returning veterans Santiago Casilla, Sergio Romo and Javier Lopez will handle the closer's role by committee.
The Giants have spent a fortune on starting pitching, some analysts believe it is the best rotation in the NL.
But a loss of a closer so early in the season can blow up a championship run right out of the gate.
The Giants organization is the most budget conscious group in the majors. They refuse to add any big money to the payroll during the season. With Wilson gone, it appears that the team will try to bandage the bullpen closer role from within the team and minor league system.
There really is only one known free agent closer. Mike Gonzalez is available, but he has lost his status the last few years. He split time between Baltimore and Texas last season in more of a mop-up role.
The other prospect would be trading for a known closer. The only teams that would give up a closer are teams that know that they will not be in the race. Astros closer Brett Myers is going to be shopped at the trading deadline. Houston is in the midst of new ownership and a tear down of the roster. The team is looking to add depth at all positions and Myers is the best chip on the team to trade. However, his $11 million salary will put off most teams.
The Cubs Marmol may also be available. He also has a high salary. But Marmol has known command issues at times which may scare off teams in the heart of a pennant race more than his salary.
For whatever reason, the closer (9th inning) role has taken on more significance in recent years due to the sabremetric specialization of all baseball roles. There are some excellent 8th inning relievers who mentally cannot handle a "promotion" to the closer role.
It will be interesting to see how the Giants will mend their broken bullpen, especially when the Dodgers have had their best opening record in franchise history (9 wins one loss).
UPDATE:
Giants Manager Bruce Bochy has told the media that he would handle the Wilson loss with his current bullpen. The Giants had the second-lowest bullpen ERA in the National League in 201. Returning veterans Santiago Casilla, Sergio Romo and Javier Lopez will handle the closer's role by committee.
March 26, 2012
THE ALL-IN PROBLEM
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.
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.
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