Post by Fish Troll on Sept 18, 2008 15:07:36 GMT -5
Kevin Gregg's hunch: I'm gone
By Juan C. Rodriguez | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
September 17, 2008
MIAMI GARDENS - If his abrupt removal in the ninth inning of Sunday's game didn't make it clear enough, subsequent conversations did.
Kevin Gregg has been told the team plans to play out the string with Matt Lindstrom as its closer. The arbitration-eligible Gregg is concluding his two-year tenure with the Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! is drawing to an end.
"They basically indicated to me they're going to give Lindstrom a tryout and see if he can handle it, see if they can use him next year instead of having to spend some money on me," Gregg said. "They told me, 'Show you're healthy and we'll get you back into closing.' I guess with where we're at in the standings they're changing their tune."
After blowing his second straight save and third in six tries on Aug. 29, Gregg sat out 10 days with left knee tendinitis. He returned to the mound Sept. 9 and appeared in three consecutive games last weekend against the Nationals.
Sunday, Gregg replaced Joe Nelson (cramp) with two outs and a two-run lead. He gave up an RBI double to Lastings Milledge and was immediately pulled for lefty Arthur Rhodes, who struck out pinch hitter Elijah Dukes to end the game.
The Marlins have since confirmed what Gregg suspected.
"It's been a process to get to the truth … but they've decided for now they want to see what they have for next year," Gregg said. "It's pretty much the writing on the wall. You never know. This game is weird that way, but it seems pretty clear to me [I'm gone]."
Gregg took over closer duties in mid-May last season after the Jorge Julio debacle and Henry Owens' injury. He is one save shy of joining Robb Nen as the only Marlins with multiple 30-save seasons. With 61 saves, Gregg is one of 10 major league closers with at least that many since the start of 2007.
Arbitration-eligible for the second straight season, Gregg is due a considerable raise from the $2.5 million he earned this season.
"Finances play everything into their decisions around here," Gregg said. "I have no problem playing somewhere else. It's not like this is the only team I've ever played for. It's a business. They try to save every dollar they can and we try to earn every dollar we're worth. … Next year I'll have a job. I'm not worried about that. It's just a matter of where it will be."
By Juan C. Rodriguez | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
September 17, 2008
MIAMI GARDENS - If his abrupt removal in the ninth inning of Sunday's game didn't make it clear enough, subsequent conversations did.
Kevin Gregg has been told the team plans to play out the string with Matt Lindstrom as its closer. The arbitration-eligible Gregg is concluding his two-year tenure with the Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! is drawing to an end.
"They basically indicated to me they're going to give Lindstrom a tryout and see if he can handle it, see if they can use him next year instead of having to spend some money on me," Gregg said. "They told me, 'Show you're healthy and we'll get you back into closing.' I guess with where we're at in the standings they're changing their tune."
After blowing his second straight save and third in six tries on Aug. 29, Gregg sat out 10 days with left knee tendinitis. He returned to the mound Sept. 9 and appeared in three consecutive games last weekend against the Nationals.
Sunday, Gregg replaced Joe Nelson (cramp) with two outs and a two-run lead. He gave up an RBI double to Lastings Milledge and was immediately pulled for lefty Arthur Rhodes, who struck out pinch hitter Elijah Dukes to end the game.
The Marlins have since confirmed what Gregg suspected.
"It's been a process to get to the truth … but they've decided for now they want to see what they have for next year," Gregg said. "It's pretty much the writing on the wall. You never know. This game is weird that way, but it seems pretty clear to me [I'm gone]."
Gregg took over closer duties in mid-May last season after the Jorge Julio debacle and Henry Owens' injury. He is one save shy of joining Robb Nen as the only Marlins with multiple 30-save seasons. With 61 saves, Gregg is one of 10 major league closers with at least that many since the start of 2007.
Arbitration-eligible for the second straight season, Gregg is due a considerable raise from the $2.5 million he earned this season.
"Finances play everything into their decisions around here," Gregg said. "I have no problem playing somewhere else. It's not like this is the only team I've ever played for. It's a business. They try to save every dollar they can and we try to earn every dollar we're worth. … Next year I'll have a job. I'm not worried about that. It's just a matter of where it will be."
Yeah trade him. We don't need that attitude in here.
