Marmol's winter

[Scartissue]

I don't want to make too much out of winter ball--it's a mixture of minor league and usually younger major league players. That said, Marmol had a terrific winter. Here's Baseball Prospectus' summary of his winter (the "1." indicates he was the best reliever in winter ball):

1. Carlos Marmol, 0.78 ERALF, 0.00 NERA, 12 1/3 IP; Licey, DWL: If this was an audition for the Cubs' closer spot, then the Cubs really should tell Kerry Wood to step aside for the good of the team. Marmol was essentially perfect: he faced 40 batters, and 22 of them—more than half—struck out. One of them got a walk, but he was wiped out somehow, either on a double play or a caught stealing. Another got a hit, and was left on base. That’s 13 innings, facing one batter above the minimum, which is just total, complete, utter, domination.

[Bob Sacamento]

I don't want to make too much out of winter ball--it's a mixture of minor league and usually younger major league players. That said, Marmol had a terrific winter. Here's Baseball Prospectus' summary of his winter (the "1." indicates he was the best reliever in winter ball):

1. Carlos Marmol, 0.78 ERALF, 0.00 NERA, 12 1/3 IP; Licey, DWL: If this was an audition for the Cubs' closer spot, then the Cubs really should tell Kerry Wood to step aside for the good of the team. Marmol was essentially perfect: he faced 40 batters, and 22 of them—more than half—struck out. One of them got a walk, but he was wiped out somehow, either on a double play or a caught stealing. Another got a hit, and was left on base. That’s 13 innings, facing one batter above the minimum, which is just total, complete, utter, domination.

Cubs.com is reporting that Billy Williams was ribbing the Cubs hitters facing Marmol saying if you can hit him then you make the club.

As a reliever Marmol is dominating, he has two plus plus pitches in his fastball and slider but at just 25 years old one still has to wonder if Carlos shouldn't be given another trial as a starting pitcher. Imagine if after the 2002 season, we made Zman a reliever and not a starter, sure Carlos would likely be a dominating closer/setup man but we get more value out of him as a starter. If you don't recall, Zman was long touted as our possible longterm closer of the future while Juan Cruz was to be our ace. Marmol and Zambrano have very much in common, if Marmol didn't waste two years as a catcher, he would have been far ahead in his progress more than he already is at 25yo with a year and half of MLB experience. Like Zman, Carlos can be his own best friend with his bat. Like Carlos, Marmol can light up the gun and make hitters' look foolish. Like the Venezuelan Heat, the Dominican Deliverer, possesses a nasty slider, has trouble with spotting control, and can be outright dominating at times. My problem is that Marmol isn't pitching relief because he can't cut it as a starter, he's in the pen because he' so damn good there and we're in a win now mode same but then again the same can be said for Francisco Rodriguez and the situation.

[Scartissue]

As a reliever Marmol is dominating, he has two plus plus pitches in his fastball and slider but at just 25 years old one still has to wonder if Carlos shouldn't be given another trial as a starting pitcher.

I would have liked to see him get another shot as well. Of all the things the Cubs did or are trying to do that mortgage the future--signing Soriano until he reaches social security, cloggin the rotation with Marquis, trading young prospects for guys like Roberts, etc.--not developing Marmol as a starter could prove to be the costliest action of all. It's also the least likely to be second guessed, because most people will just look at his success at the reliever role and consider it a good move.

[nathanKent]

Cubs.com is reporting that Billy Williams was ribbing the Cubs hitters facing Marmol saying if you can hit him then you make the club.

As a reliever Marmol is dominating, he has two plus plus pitches in his fastball and slider but at just 25 years old one still has to wonder if Carlos shouldn't be given another trial as a starting pitcher. Imagine if after the 2002 season, we made Zman a reliever and not a starter, sure Carlos would likely be a dominating closer/setup man but we get more value out of him as a starter. If you don't recall, Zman was long touted as our possible longterm closer of the future while Juan Cruz was to be our ace. Marmol and Zambrano have very much in common, if Marmol didn't waste two years as a catcher, he would have been far ahead in his progress more than he already is at 25yo with a year and half of MLB experience. Like Zman, Carlos can be his own best friend with his bat. Like Carlos, Marmol can light up the gun and make hitters' look foolish. Like the Venezuelan Heat, the Dominican Deliverer, possesses a nasty slider, has trouble with spotting control, and can be outright dominating at times. My problem is that Marmol isn't pitching relief because he can't cut it as a starter, he's in the pen because he' so damn good there and we're in a win now mode same but then again the same can be said for Francisco Rodriguez and the situation.

Your interchanging use of 'Carlos' made me have to re-read that about three times.

[Bob Sacamento]

Your interchanging use of 'Carlos' made me have to re-read that about three times.

Good it was meant that way, so that you got the message.

[nathanKent]

Good it was meant that way, so that you got the message.

I figured it was. I'm just glad I read it at noon instead of 5 in the morning.