Closers position

CHICAGO -- Last spring, Kerry Wood, Bob Howry and Carlos Marmol competed for the Cubs' closer job. Wood won, and notched 34 saves in his first season in that role. This year, Wood and Howry are gone, having departed via free agency. It would seem logical that Marmol would inherit the role. Not so fast, Lou Piniella says. The Cubs acquired Kevin Gregg from Florida this offseason, and Piniella doesn't want to declare Marmol the closer until he sees both pitchers this spring. "Let them compete," Piniella said. "I feel comfortable with Marmol, there's no question. But we traded for this other young man, and he was a closer over there with success. Give him a chance, too." Gregg has 61 saves over the last two seasons with the Marlins while Marmol has eight career saves, getting seven of those last year when Wood was injured. Who has the edge? "That's really for Lou to decide," Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "I think Carlos has proved what kind of job he can do in that role. I'd be surprised if there is anybody who can do it better. We're confident in what he can do." Marmol is confident, too. His agent told him at the end of the 2008 season that the Cubs wanted the pitcher to prepare for the job. Marmol stuck to the same offseason routine that he's done the last few years. It's worked so far. "We'll see what happens," Marmol said.

I think that the role for the closer position was interesting because Marmol was my candidate but they got Gregg. He is a good closer and I think that this blog can stir up a good discussion in the Cubs organization about that position. If Marmol isn't the closer he will probably close a lot. He is a hard thrower and that is always helpful during the end of the game. I liked the blog.