Marmol vs. Gregg: There can only be one!

Lightning bolts suck

We here at 3S like to use “Highlander” as a reference point for an epic struggle between two people in a joking manner, but the closer battle between Kevin Gregg and Carlos Marmol is truly worthy of the greatest line in movie history…

THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE!

OK, so maybe the duel has been subdued because both guys seem to support each other and the Cubs really can’t go wrong with either pitcher as the closer heading into the season, but Lou needs to get this decision right the first time and stick with it over the coming months in order to maintain consistency so vital to a bullpen’s success.

That being said, Second String Sports is officially endorsing Kevin Gregg for the position of closer for the ‘09 Cubs.

Why Gregg? I’m glad I asked for you.

First, Gregg actually has more closing experience in real games than Marmol. He was a solid (if not successful) closer with the Marlins, so why mess with what worked? He’s had 62 saves over the last two seasons as the closer for Florida while Marmol has had 8 saves in the same time period with the Cubs. Needless to say, there will be no mental adjustment period.

Speaking of mental ability, Gregg has the right mindset to be a closer. Besides actually being a closer, the guy is as calm as calm can be. To borrow a phrase from Stephen Colbert, Gregg is a manilla folder taped to a beige wall. He’s boring, he’s stoic and he wears glasses.  Through good and bad, the guy will pitch and he will do it well. Marmol, on the other hand, can be a bit of a headcase. He likes to yell and pound his chest. He gets amped up and speaks in a scary language I don’t understand. While that is good in some cases, it might bite him in the ass if he gets too pumped up and leaves pitches high in the strike zone that get smashed out onto the streets. Plus, if things go wrong, Marmol could psyche himself out and essentially become worthless for a month like he did last season. While I know Carlos is a big boy, Lou has to protect his mindest so he can continue to be dominant as a setup guy.

Finally, Gregg is just pitching better right now. While there Spring Training stats are nearly identical in every category, Gregg has given up 0 runs while Marmol has pitched himself into (and out) of some tough situations. Gregg seems to be in midseason form while Marmol is still adjusting to the embarassment the Dutch handed him a few weeks ago (Those are words I thought I’d never write).  I know Spring Training doesn’t mean shizz, but Lou loves to go with the hot hand. Right now, that’s Gregg.

There is no doubt Marmol has the stuff to be a closer. He can even be a great closer some day. But he’s not ready. It’s hard to argue that there is a better setup man in the bigs than Marmol. So I ask again, why mess with what works? Why take the chance on frying the brain of a guy who could be the most dominant non-closer in the league.

Gregg IS a closer. Marmol IS a setup man. This decision is easier than people think. In fact, it’s not a decision at all.