Closers up!

Well, well well. No ego stroking coming out of camp this spring. Kevin Gregg is your closer, winning out against Carlos "Dutch flubber" Marmol. I was actually rather hoping this would happen for a couple of reasons. Now, Gregg gets a short leash, with Marmol ready to step in if needed. And Marmol can actually go back to doing what he did so insanely well last year and that's closing the door in the 7th and 8th innings.

Yes, we know Marmol was "supposed" to be the next great closer. But for now he's the best bullpen man in baseball, including closers and Carlos, you're just gonna have to settle for that.

"His mediocre spring numbers and WBC struggles weren't a factor, he said."

Uh huh...

interesting trade idea?

So George Sherrill, the left handed closer from Baltimore is on the block. The asking price, by latest reports is a ML ready shortstop. Hello Ronny Cedeno. Here's the problem though. Cedeno is Theriot's only backup at SS. 2nd base has depth enough to get by without him, but SS remians a question. Any kids ready to come up as a backup? I'm honestly not sure.

What I do know is Marmol, while he hasn't been terrible his last few outings still ain't right. Bob "Gopher-ball" Howry isn't right. Woody's widdle finger hurts, so long story short, we've got issues.

I'm thinking Eyre-Cedeno for Sherrill, a proven closer. 46K's in 42 IP. 7 Blown saves, which is kinda scary, but still. You trade a solid lefty for a solid uninjured lefty, and a SS in the package. Win-Win. Plus Eyre's a FA this year - Sherrill's under team control for at least another year if not more. This is all contingent on whether or not there's a SS in AAA ready to step up, and to be honest, I don't know.

Just a thought...and a minute...

Ok...one more minute....

Could someone PLEASE explain to me why the best closer in the NL has lost the All Star Game 3 years running?

Gange, Hoffman, Lidge.

Nate McLouth is my new hero, except when he plays the Cubs...then @#$% him.

Aaron Cook got out of jams for 3 consecutive innings including a bases loaded, no out inning. But then again he did get IN to those jams in the first place. Overall - clutch.

You can't really fault Lidge, though I would love to know how he's giving up that many fly balls and he pitches at Citizen's Bank Park?

Anywho...the American League wins again...Michael Young gets the game winning RBI...again...

I hate that man... At least is wasn't Quentin...

There's another minute...

Cubs-Cards Game 2.

You know, driving home from work after the game, I was listening to the post game on 'GN and some schmuck actually called and asked why Pinella didn't leave Marmol in for the ninth?

Ok, first- Wood had converted his last 12 consecutive save opps. Second, have you been WATCHING Marmol lately?? For crap's sake...

I took the positives away from the game. Ramirez broke his 0-28 slump with his homer and Marmol pitched a perfect 8th.

Save or no save, you walk the first to batters in the ninth, and you have issues. Woody just didn't have it. Stuff happens. No worries. As it turns out, we won the series, so all is ok in the end.

Woody's a lights out closer. He won't convert every time, and it will SUCK when he doesn't, but please. Can we NOT get these phone calls every time he doesn't? Please?

Ok, that's my minute.