Chicago Cubs avoid arbitration with Kevin Gregg

If he made 2.6 M last year and "settled " for 4.2, what did he actually ask for or want in arbitration? JH and LP must want him in a "happy place" mentally to pony up an additional 1.6 M....especially for a team that has overspent its budget for 2009 !!
This salary should provide plenty of incentive for Marmol.

I think Gregg should seriously be considered for the closer's job. Marmol might be a better closer, but he's just so valuable in the setup role. With the game on the line in the 7th or 8th inning and people on base, I'd much rather see Marmol pitch than anybody else. Plus, he can pitch more than one inning occasionally.

Obviously, saves are a sexy stat for a reliever, but winning should be the top priority. Marmol can help the team the most by getting out of jams in the 7th and 8th as he has done so many times over the last two years. Gregg might be better suited to start the 9th with the bases empty.

What fred said.

good to have two guys pushing each other too. Be good to have another strong starter to push Demp and Z in the same way.

Gregg is an excellent pitcher. Gregg had a two week slump in 2008, that was caused by the Cubs Ward, when he hit a PH HR against Gregg. Look for big save numbers for Gregg is Marmol fails as a closer.

Tyler wrote:

What fred said.
good to have two guys pushing each other too. Be good to have another strong starter to push Demp and Z in the same way.

That name is Peavy.

Harden might have a tear in his rotator cuff.

The Cubs have never had a REALLY lights out closer. Remember Bruce Sutter, Lee Smith, etc. who got away?

Let's hope between Gregg and Marmol the Cubs have as the old easy listening song lyrics go "the start of something big."

6'2", 240 lbs. That's a good-sized fella. Was last season his only serious injury, or does he have a history?

Ceda will probably be a better pitcher and is much younger and cheaper. This trade seems to get worse all the time.

Gregg is not an upgrade over Kerry Wood. Also, Gregg is not worth 4.2 mil/yr

Ben wrote:

Ceda will probably be a better pitcher and is much younger and cheaper. This trade seems to get worse all the time.

How do you know this trade is getting worse? Wait until Ceda has pitched in the big leagues before you rate that trade.

Remember the infamous Cubs trade 3 prospects for Juan Pierre deal in 2006? Sure Pierre was one and done, but Sergio Mitre is no longer with the Marlins, Renyel Pinto had an ERA in the mid 4s last season, and Ricky Nolasco was only finally able to remain healthy last season. So let's not hit the panic button until Ceda has a chance to pan out.

ty welke wrote:

If he made 2.6 M last year and "settled " for 4.2, what did he actually ask for or want in arbitration? JH and LP must want him in a "happy place" mentally to pony up an additional 1.6 M....especially for a team that has overspent its budget for 2009 !!
This salary should provide plenty of incentive for Marmol.

He didn't officially ask for anything. Players and teams officially exchange numbers today. Gregg's agent probably gave them a ballpark figure and the Cubs thought it was fair enough to not have to exchange figures and risk going to arbitration.

Mark G wrote:

Gregg is not an upgrade over Kerry Wood. Also, Gregg is not worth 4.2 mil/yr

Do you mean the "great" Kerry Wood? Isnt he the same guy that spent half his time as a Cub on the DL? How soon we forget all the bad stuff as soon as a guy leaves ala DeRosa!

Tyler wrote:

What fred said..

I would modify what Fred said. The problem here is the whole concept of "closer." Managers manage around the statistic rather than the actual situation. If it is a 1-2 run game in the 8th and Albert Pujols is up, then the BEST pitcher (accounting for Pujols, of course) should be brought into the game. Too many games are lost because managers keep the best reliever in the bullpen for a save opportunity that promptly never happens after the 2nd or 3rd best reliever gets tagged by one or more excellent hitters.

Marmol is really good, and he has the potential to be great. Yes, he'll have bad "stretches": but that is just because relievers actually pitch so little that sampling error alone accounts for whole seasons. But if Pujols or CLee or Manny is up in the 8th, please, Lou: bring in Marmol!

(OK, never mind on Manny....)

Please let Gregg not follow in a list of Cub relief pretend chokers: Mitch Webster, Antonio Alfonseca, Troy Hawkins, Mike Remlinger, Will Ohmann, Bob Howry.

Mel wrote:

Please let Gregg not follow in a list of Cub relief pretend chokers: Mitch Webster, Antonio Alfonseca, Troy Hawkins, Mike Remlinger, Will Ohmann, Bob Howry.

I never heard of Mitch Webster. Are you making up the name?

Mitch Webster was an outfielder who played for the Cubs in 1988 and 1989. Mitch Williams is probably who he meant.

Now, show me a team that has not had one bad bullpen in the last 10 years and I'll show you a team who has won 10 World Series titles in a row.

Fred wrote:

I think Gregg should seriously be considered for the closer's job. Marmol might be a better closer, but he's just so valuable in the setup role. With the game on the line in the 7th or 8th inning and people on base, I'd much rather see Marmol pitch than anybody else. Plus, he can pitch more than one inning occasionally.
Obviously, saves are a sexy stat for a reliever, but winning should be the top priority. Marmol can help the team the most by getting out of jams in the 7th and 8th as he has done so many times over the last two years. Gregg might be better suited to start the 9th with the bases empty.

Fred said it right. Carlos was the top man in stoppages last year. I love watching Carlos pitch and his stuff can be wicked so I for one would want to see him more than one innning every save opportunity, when there is one. Stick with Carlos as the set up guy unless Gregg falls flat on his face.

By the way, I think that Kerry would have been lights out given a second year as a closer in Chicago but I know that is water under the bridge at this point.

Oak Park Lefty wrote:

The Cubs have never had a REALLY lights out closer."

Randy Myers????

He had, like 56 saves one year!

the cubs should be sold for a pack of wrigleys gum

bmunos wrote:

<quoted text>
By the way, I think that Kerry would have been lights out given a second year as a closer in Chicago but I know that is water under the bridge at this point.

Wood was to much of an injury risk for the Cubs to give him a long term deal for big bucks. And for sure the Cubs were not going to give him 2 years at $21 million. I love Kerry, but that contract is going to come back and hurt the Indians sometime over the next two years.