03-16-2009, 09:08 PM
Saves talk when it comes to arbitration.
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->At the outset, let me say: I recognize there is a school of thought that the reason you don’t use your best reliever in the closer’s role is so that you have the flexibility to use him in high pressure situations that emerge earlier in the game - say the 7th or the 8th innings. But, in my opinion, that’s not a reason not to use that pitcher as your closer in “normal” games. Recall, when Eric Gagne was the best closer in the history of the universe, the Dodgers routinely used him in high pressure situations in the 8th inning. He was still nominally the Dodgers closer. So with that caveat aside, I see but a few reasons to name Kevin Gregg the closer of the Chicago Cubs over Carlos Marmol, regardless of what happens in the relatively meaningless Spring Training. And the reason that’s jumping out at me is both savvy and crummy.
Money.
Kevin Gregg, whom the Cubs received from the Marlins this year for prospect Jose Ceda, is in his last year of team control before free agency. Carlos Marmol, on the other hand, is under the Cubs control for three more years after 2009 - his arbitration years.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
And that's where I go off on an analysis of why letting Kevin Gregg be the closer this year could save the Cubs a whole lot of money in the future. I'd post the whole thing, but it's long and that's the gist.
I put a lot of thought into it, and a little bit of research, so give it a read if you get a chance. I think it's at least a little interesting.
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->At the outset, let me say: I recognize there is a school of thought that the reason you don’t use your best reliever in the closer’s role is so that you have the flexibility to use him in high pressure situations that emerge earlier in the game - say the 7th or the 8th innings. But, in my opinion, that’s not a reason not to use that pitcher as your closer in “normal” games. Recall, when Eric Gagne was the best closer in the history of the universe, the Dodgers routinely used him in high pressure situations in the 8th inning. He was still nominally the Dodgers closer. So with that caveat aside, I see but a few reasons to name Kevin Gregg the closer of the Chicago Cubs over Carlos Marmol, regardless of what happens in the relatively meaningless Spring Training. And the reason that’s jumping out at me is both savvy and crummy.
Money.
Kevin Gregg, whom the Cubs received from the Marlins this year for prospect Jose Ceda, is in his last year of team control before free agency. Carlos Marmol, on the other hand, is under the Cubs control for three more years after 2009 - his arbitration years.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
And that's where I go off on an analysis of why letting Kevin Gregg be the closer this year could save the Cubs a whole lot of money in the future. I'd post the whole thing, but it's long and that's the gist.
I put a lot of thought into it, and a little bit of research, so give it a read if you get a chance. I think it's at least a little interesting.
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