And The New Cubs Closer Is....

Gordon Wittenmyer "tweets" that Kevin Gregg has been named the Cubs closer to start the season. While everyone that owns Carlos Marmol in their fantasy league throws their mouse across the room, it's probably the best move for the Cubs...for now. A few blown saves by Gregg and I doubt that Lou will hesitate to flip roles.

The Indians roll into Mesa today with Mark DeRosa and Kerry Wood in tow and here's the Cubs' lineup from Muskrat.

LF Alfonso Soriano, SS Ryan Theriot, 1B Derrek Lee, RF Milton Bradley,
3B Aramis Ramirez, 2B Mike Fontenot, C Geovany Soto, CF Joey Gathright
and P Ted Lilly.

Tags: 
Cubs Spring Training
Carlos Marmol
Kevin Gregg
Submitted by Rob G. on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 1:55pm
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Comments

Submitted by navigator
on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 2:11pm

I understand Scott Eyre is broke

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 3:21pm

Umm... posting a major Cubs news story on the front page is not a 3/44 or Scott Eyre moment.

Submitted by Adam
on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 2:12pm

Crap, I drafted Gregg for holds, but now I can't use him.

Submitted by The Joe
on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 2:38pm

Sweet. Good choice. Now just pick So Taguchi for that final spot and all is good.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 2:51pm

Marmolaide seems unhappy...

http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/1712

"Disappointed, yeah, of course it is," Marmol said of the situation, which he seemed to think was preordained. "I can't control this."

Marmol pitched for the Dominican Republic in the WBC but said he didn't feel that didn't make any difference.

"They knew what (they were going) to do before I got here," he said. "That's what I said when I said it was not 'competition

Submitted by John Beasley
on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 2:54pm

"Marmol did admit, though, that the decision was good for the team."

Yep, and that's really all that matters, dude.

Submitted by mjmiller73
on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 3:17pm

18th round 213th pick Gregg, Kevin (CHN) ;)

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 3:18pm

My fantasy team thanks Lou... and Rob, I may be willing to trade you Villanueva now. :)

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 3:24pm

offer still stands or counter-offer if you wish...

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 3:33pm

yea... i am thinking about it...

Submitted by 433
on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 3:33pm

I really like this decision -- it's the one that, if it's a mistake, is correctable. If Gregg doesn't perform, it's easy enough just to flip-flop him with Marmol. But if Marmol was named the starter and didn't perform, it would be much more complicated -- and Marmol's development could be stunted.

Submitted by Chifan
on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 4:07pm

Yeah, really no downside to this move. If Gregg does decent, he likely becomes a Type A free agent and we get 2 picks for him or if all the young guys in the pen pitch like there capable of maybe we could move him to an AL team for prospects or an injury stop gap if we need one at the deadline. If he sucks just flip him back with Marmol.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 4:11pm

this one is as surprising as bonds being linked to PEDs...dunno why anyone buys into the false competitions of spring sometimes.

besides, i couldnt imagine lou only wanting to use marmol for 50 games or so...he seems to have a thing for him.

Submitted by Ryno
on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 6:31pm

Solid move. As I said before, Marmol is probably the better pitcher, but Gregg has experience with the closer psychology.

Submitted by Ryno
on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 6:34pm

Also, loving the lineup with Theriot batting second. He'll do great there.

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