Maybe It's Just Me, But...

Carlos Marmol seems to be settling into that closers role.


Marmol is 7-for-7 after today's game.  He's racked up 16 punchouts in 9.1 innings pitched.  And he's not walking or hitting nearly as many players as he used to when pitching in the eighth inning.

But I'm also happy with the new-look TBDS.  I was advise that it needed some pizzaz, so I tried to provide it with some color.  You wanted less clutter on the right sidebar, so I did my best to clean some things up over there.

My favorite addition (other than the elusive "read more" tag) has been the links on the top of the screen to our hottest topics and some of your favorite segments.

We'll take suggestions via e-mail at bigdeadsidebar@gmail.com.

Thanks for sticking around, gang.  The staff here will try to make it worth your while.

Despite Piniella's Stubbornness, Cubs Must Change Closer (Preferably Now)

Even Barack Obama thinks the Cubs need change in the closer's role.

The text message was simple: Kevin Gregg blows another save. But it could have ended with an even simpler message.

Kevin Gregg blows.

Gregg blew back-to-back saves in the Cubs' three-game set against the Florida Marlins. He picked up the win after blowing Saturday's game thanks to Derrek Lee's 10th inning homer, but was not as lucky in the series finale on Sunday.

After constant prodding by Breakfast For The Block big-foot Luke McCormick, I was ready to accept Gregg as the closer for the rest of the year, as he had converted his last 10 saves prior to Saturday's debacle. After Sunday, the love fest ends. If Lou Piniella wants to guide the Cubs to a third straight NL Central title, he needs to make a move in the closer's role.

Now.

In 14 July appearances, Gregg lowered his earned run average from 3.82 to 3.35. In two August appearances, that ERA has skyrocketed to 4.17 after giving up five runs on six hits, three of which were extra-base hits.

He leads all of major league relievers in home runs allowed (10). Of the 19 closers in baseball that have at least 20 saves, Gregg's WHIP (1.35) ranks third highest behind Matt Capps and Brad Lidge, each of whom have 1.79. His 4.17 ERA ranks fifth highest, as once again, Brad Lidge (7.11) leads the way.

It might not get better as this month progresses. Gregg owns a career ERA of 4.91, and last year, Gregg posted a 4.94 ERA after the All-Star Break.

Jake Fox, whose ninth inning homer should have been the game-winner if the Cubs had a competent closer, said he feels bad for Gregg, who he said has some "great stuff." Nick Swisher has some great stuff too, but I don't feel bad for him. Not in the least.

Former Florida Marlins teammate Dan Uggla, echoed Fox's sentiments.

"I've seen Gregg over the last few years and he's been as dominant as anybody."

Stop right there, Dan Uggla. Stop. Right. There.

Saying that Kevin Gregg has been as dominant as any closer in baseball is an insult to my intelligence. And anyone who nods in agreement with Uggla should be banished from baseball and forced to give sponge baths Bartolo Colon, CC Sabathia and Prince Fielder for the rest of their lives.

Nothing says "dominant" like a low-90s fastball with no movement and a slider that screams "hit me" as soon as it's released.

Then there's Piniella, who when asked if he should make a change in the closer's role, he responded, "Why should I?"

Why is a shake-up needed in the closer's spot? To put it in the most simplistic terms: He sucks. Lou, youv'e played musical chairs with your line-ups a billion times and it is finally paying off.

Alfonso Soriano (.339/.409/.644/1.053 since post-ASB) and Kosuke Fukudome (.365/.476/.538/1.015 post-ASB) have picked it up since shifting around in the order. And Fox has hit .297, slugged .626 and OPSed .956 in games he has started.

Change is necessary, and has proved to be good for Piniella's Cubs in the past. I don't understand why cool off his own hot hand when it comes to making a change in the most important role in the bullpen.

Carlos Marmol can't close right now, nor should he. Marmol has hit a NL-most 10 batters and has issued more free passes through 55 games (48) than he did last year in 82 games (41).

Angel Guzman has been the Cubs' best reliever, but lacks the experience. But let's be honest with each other, how much has Kevin Gregg's past experience as a closer helped the team?

Searching for an answer?

Don't worry, I'll wait.

Deal Closed: Kevin Gregg gets the gig

Opening Day is a week away and already I see a problem with the Chicago Cubs' bullpen.

Manager Lou Piniella recently named Kevin Gregg as the team's closer, allowing Piniella to use the talented Carlos Marmol in the super swingman reliever role he has become accustomed to in the last two seasons. And while I agree Marmol (right now) is best suited for being set-up man extraordinaire, I am not convinced Gregg is the best man to close out games.

Unfortunately for the Cubs, the guy most suited for that role signed with the Cleveland Indians in the offseason.

Gregg was acquired in the offseason via a trade with the Florida Marlins, who probably fleeced the Cubs again by nabbing hard-throwing reliever Jose Ceda who was once deemed untouchable by GM Jim Hendry and his staff. And even though Gregg notched 61 saves in two seasons as the Marlins' closer, no one is sure how he will respond to the pressure-cooker that is Wrigley Field, the Cubs, day baseball, a fandom growing impatient and a constant reminder from the media of 101 years of suck.

After a first half in which he saved 20 games and posted a 2.60 earned run average, Gregg seemed to faulter down the stretch. In his final 26 outings, he recorded a 4.94 ERA in 23.2 innings. Outings like that in July and August might call for mob rule in the North Siders' bullpen.

And yes, Marmol struggled at times last year, but it was mostly due to being overworked ... which of course is going to be Cubdom's biggest fear from day one.

He worked the World Baseball Classic, fine and dandy, but did he get his arm up to speed for the team that needs him the most? My guess is no, especially when noting he hit five batters and posted a 4.50 ERA in WBC games. And one must wonder where his head must be, after coming into Spring Training as the No. 1 candidate to replace Kerry Wood.

Jeff Spellcheck hasn't been impressive this spring, while the team's best lefty out of the pen from last season has secured a spot in the starting rotation. So, the fate of the Cubs' bullpen rests squarely on the shoulders of a closer who is unproven in this element and a reliever who might be one nasty breaking ball away from getting shelved.

Yep, sounds like a banner year for the Cubbies already.

BREAKING: Carlos Marmol Is An All-Star!

Really. I'm not joking. No link yet, but I did hear it from George Offman and David Schuster from WSCR 670 AM moments ago.

That gives the Cubs eight (8!!!) All-Stars. That's ridiculous, but I guess deserving of the team with the best record in baseball.

The basics: Cubs closer Kerry Wood can't pitch because of a blister so Carlos Marmol will replace him.

The 70 strikeouts and 1.03 WHIP are All-Star Game worthy. The 4.13 ERA, the fact that he allowed five hits, five runs (four earned) and cost Rich Harden his first win as a Cub in Saturday's win are not All-Star worthy.

It looks like Clint Hurdle will be cheering for the AL in the World Series because it's apparent that he doesn't care if the NL gets home-field advantage.