2009 Closers Thread (No Game Commentary Please)

[quitesanemax]

Wheeler hadn't pitched in over a week until last night either. The Rays hadn't needed to use the bullpen much during the Royals series and when they did they didn't use the later inning guys much

Wonder if this is part of the reason that all of their potential closers are blowing up... due to not being used for an extended period, so when they finally get out there, they are rusty. Just a thought. Makes me a little weary about keeping Izzy in my lineup when he hasn't pitched in how long now??? Inevitable that when he gets out there, he's going to have another difficult time.

[Nails86]

Qualls comes in to blow the save. Another Haren win GONE. The relevance is that Qualls has had a sore forearm. Pena seems like a good speculative pick up here fellas!

[Magnus_CA]

Any chance Guzman has moved in front of Marmol for next in line for saves if something happens to Gregg? Guzman has been pretty solid this year and Marmol seems to be Lou's eternal setup guy.

[BALCO All-Stars]

Any chance Guzman has moved in front of Marmol for next in line for saves if something happens to Gregg? Guzman has been pretty solid this year and Marmol seems to be Lou's eternal setup guy.

no

[nolanwood]

Any chance Guzman has moved in front of Marmol for next in line for saves if something happens to Gregg? Guzman has been pretty solid this year and Marmol seems to be Lou's eternal setup guy.

It wouldn't surprise me if he does. Len and Bob were even talking about it today during the game.

- It makes sense, especially given how dominant Gooz has been and with Marmol's continuing control problems - but only temporarily until Marmol finds it again. In the past Marmol has had these same problems (entering a game and walking/hitting the first two batters), but it didn't happen near as frequently as it has this season.

- Lou is known for knee jerk reactions (although Marmol is his go-to guy).

[Syfo-Dyas]

Any chance Guzman has moved in front of Marmol for next in line for saves if something happens to Gregg? Guzman has been pretty solid this year and Marmol seems to be Lou's eternal setup guy.

It wouldn't surprise me if he does. Len and Bob were even talking about it today during the game.

- It makes sense, especially given how dominant Gooz has been and with Marmol's continuing control problems - but only temporarily until Marmol finds it again. In the past Marmol has had these same problems (entering a game and walking/hitting the first two batters), but it didn't happen near as frequently as it has this season.

- Lou is known for knee jerk reactions (although Marmol is his go-to guy).

+1

[Bloody Sox]

Any chance Guzman has moved in front of Marmol for next in line for saves if something happens to Gregg? Guzman has been pretty solid this year and Marmol seems to be Lou's eternal setup guy.

no

Not sure how you could possibly be so definitive with that 'no' response, given that Pinella has not gone to Marmol as his primary closer over the last two years even when he was (apparently) the best option (see: Kerry Wood in 2008, Kevin Gregg in 2009), presumably because he likes him so much in a setup role.

[metsfan12]

Any chance Guzman has moved in front of Marmol for next in line for saves if something happens to Gregg? Guzman has been pretty solid this year and Marmol seems to be Lou's eternal setup guy.

no

Not sure how you could possibly be so definitive with that 'no' response, given that Pinella has not gone to Marmol as his primary closer over the last two years even when he was (apparently) the best option (see: Kerry Wood in 2008, Kevin Gregg in 2009), presumably because he likes him so much in a setup role.

I totally agree with this. No? If Randy Wells had anything to do with it Marmol wouldn't pitch again this year. As of lately, Marmol is worthless.

[Crippler]

Any chance Guzman has moved in front of Marmol for next in line for saves if something happens to Gregg? Guzman has been pretty solid this year and Marmol seems to be Lou's eternal setup guy.

no

Not sure how you could possibly be so definitive with that 'no' response, given that Pinella has not gone to Marmol as his primary closer over the last two years even when he was (apparently) the best option (see: Kerry Wood in 2008, Kevin Gregg in 2009), presumably because he likes him so much in a setup role.

Its probably more of a lack of faith in Guzman...dude gets one save in the what...15th inning?...and all the sudden people are discussing him as a closer option? The only reason he even came in was because every other option was already used.

[nolanwood]

no

Not sure how you could possibly be so definitive with that 'no' response, given that Pinella has not gone to Marmol as his primary closer over the last two years even when he was (apparently) the best option (see: Kerry Wood in 2008, Kevin Gregg in 2009), presumably because he likes him so much in a setup role.

Its probably more of a lack of faith in Guzman...dude gets one save in the what...15th inning?...and all the sudden people are discussing him as a closer option? The only reason he even came in was because every other option was already used.

Wrong. The 15th inning save has nothing to do with it... Lack of faith in Guzman? He didn't pitch earlier in the game because he threw June 2, 3, 5 and 6. When he came into the game in the 15th, there were only 2 pitchers left in the bullpen (Gooz and Marshall), and Lou had stated before the game that both would have the day off.

I think Gooz would make an excellent temporary replacement for Marmol setting up Gregg. If you followed the Cubs at all, you'd notice how dominate Gooz has been this year. He's been throwing all his stuff for strikes, added a cutter (which has been effective vs. righties), and he's always had a live fastball. You'd also notice that Lou has already been using Gooz in high leverage scenarios. Guzman has a career plagued with injuries, but it appears this one time top SP prospect is finally healthy and is excelling in the bullpen. Guzman has clearly been the best pitcher in the Cubs pen this year.