Post by Fish Troll on Apr 1, 2009 0:22:50 GMT -5
MESA, Ariz. -- Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella picked Kevin Gregg to be the team's closer heading into the season.
Spring Training Blog
Check our daily spring training blog with updates on everything our team of writers and analysts are seeing and hearing at the ballpark, plus news tidbits from around the baseball world. Blog
• Fantasy: Don't cut Marmol just yet
Gregg beat out Carlos Marmol, the Cubs' top set-up man last year. They both spent spring training vying to replace All-Star closer Kerry Wood, who signed with Cleveland during the offseason.
"Gregg came in here and hasn't given up a run all spring," Piniella said Sunday. "I think leaving spring training, we're a better team the way we've put this thing together."
The Cubs obtained the 30-year-old Gregg in an offseason trade with Florida. Last season, he saved 29 games for the Marlins.
The right-hander also had 32 saves in 2007 and has 62 for his career, which began with the Angels.
"That's where I'm comfortable. That's what I've done for the last couple of years," Gregg said. "I'm excited about getting out there in a new year."
Marmol, who also pitched for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, entered Sunday with a 1-1 record and 4.50 ERA in spring training. He has hit five batters with pitches.
"We said we'd let both pitchers compete here in the spring, and they both pitched well," Piniella said. "I'm fortunate that I have two pitchers here that I have confidence in that can do that job."
Marmol returns to his role of set-up man to begin the season.
"Disappointed, yeah," Marmol said. "I can't control this."
Spring Training Blog
Check our daily spring training blog with updates on everything our team of writers and analysts are seeing and hearing at the ballpark, plus news tidbits from around the baseball world. Blog
• Fantasy: Don't cut Marmol just yet
Gregg beat out Carlos Marmol, the Cubs' top set-up man last year. They both spent spring training vying to replace All-Star closer Kerry Wood, who signed with Cleveland during the offseason.
"Gregg came in here and hasn't given up a run all spring," Piniella said Sunday. "I think leaving spring training, we're a better team the way we've put this thing together."
The Cubs obtained the 30-year-old Gregg in an offseason trade with Florida. Last season, he saved 29 games for the Marlins.
The right-hander also had 32 saves in 2007 and has 62 for his career, which began with the Angels.
"That's where I'm comfortable. That's what I've done for the last couple of years," Gregg said. "I'm excited about getting out there in a new year."
Marmol, who also pitched for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, entered Sunday with a 1-1 record and 4.50 ERA in spring training. He has hit five batters with pitches.
"We said we'd let both pitchers compete here in the spring, and they both pitched well," Piniella said. "I'm fortunate that I have two pitchers here that I have confidence in that can do that job."
Marmol returns to his role of set-up man to begin the season.
"Disappointed, yeah," Marmol said. "I can't control this."
sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=4025531
This is the guy that lead MLB in blown saves last year.
