With all the talk here lately about closers and what strategy to take, I wanted to pass along news as two teams seem to have settled their closers roles, at least temporarily:
- According to Paul Sullivan of The Chicago Tribune (click here to view the article), the Cubs have named Kevin Gregg the team’s closer, over Carlos Marmol. I’m shocked, though I can’t see this sticking for very long. The Cubs are a team looking to compete this season and Gregg blew 9 saves last season in a situation that carried very little stress. That’s not going to be the case in Chicago and once he blows a few saves I think the team will make a change. If you have Marmol, I’d just stash him away for now. If you are in need of saves and Gregg went undrafted, he’ll help for now.
- Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times (click here for the post) is reporting that Brandon Morrow told reporters that he would be moved to the bullpen, and not just temporarily. His starting days are apparently over, instead he will be the teams closer moving forward. I doubt that he went undrafted in your league, but if you had picked one of the borderline options, you can safely move on. Morrow has the chance to be one of the elite closers in the game, even pitching for a sub par team, and obviously should be owned in all formats.
What do you think of these two decisions? Do you think Gregg will hold the role? Do you see Morrow as a potentially elite closer?
Let’s hope Gregg is near-perfect as closer. Anything less and he will be yanked for Marmol. The cubs won’t mess around this year. He’ll definitely be on a short leash.
I think Morrow will be better as a closer. Especially with diabetes and keeping it in check. I am a high school pitcher and sometimes, if your blood sugar is too high, you “zone out” and lose a little bit of focus. It will be a lot easier for him to keep focus if he just has to pitch an inning or two.
Fantasy-wise I am definitely disappointed about Morrow’s decision. I have him in a deep dynasty where SP is at a premium. I was looking forward to the K and low ERA over 200 innings in the next few years. Closers are great in a 20-team league, but still easier to find than elite SP when teams have the best prospects locked up in their minors systems.
I think Morrow can be elite, and Gregg will definitely lose the job to Marmol eventually.
I understand those like claybeez, who have Morrow stashed away and hoping that he would develop into a future fantasy ace starting pitcher. While you may not value closers quite as highly, but the elite can be counted on one hand. The potential to have that still has value, though it may not be quite as high.
The Morrow link took me to an article on Gregg.
Sorry about that guys and thanks for pointing it out Ben. The link has been fixed.
The closer is the most overrated role in baseball. It doesn’t matter who has the job between Marmol and Gregg. If Gregg sucks, what’s the difference between giving up the runs in the 8th or giving them up in the 9th? I don’t understand why people make such a big deal when the best pitcher isn’t chosen to close. The best reliever should be used in the highest leverage situations, and that’s usually NOT in the 9th in a save situation.
People make a big deal because WE’RE TALKING ABOUT FANTASY SPORTS….