Piniella Names Gregg as Cubs' Closer
Kevin Gregg, photo via MLB.com The Chicago Cubs firmed up their bullpen with today's announcement that Kevin Gregg will start the season as the team's closer instead of Carlos Marmol. Gregg, acquired during the offseason from the Florida Marlins, was 7-8 with a 3.41 ERA and 29 saves in 38 save opportunities last year while Marmol, primarily a set-up man behind then-closer Kerry Wood, was 2-4 with a 2.86 ERA and 7 saves in 9 save opportunities, though he did look shaky at times compared to his stellar 2007 run as the Cubs' set-up man. Besides more major league experience, Gregg's better statistics throughout Spring Training seem to have given him the edge. Though as the Trib's Paul Sullivan points out, the closer position shouldn't be an issue as between Gregg's experience and Marmol's potential, the team should be fine; it's the middle relief men that's causing some worries with only one left-hander (Neal Cotts) in the bullpen. [Tribune]