Gregg, Marmol battling for closer role with Cubs

[February 23, 2009]  MESA, Ariz. (AP) -- Kevin Gregg wants to close. He's done it before. So does Carlos Marmol, whose stellar work as a setup man has earned him a shot at the marquee spot in the Chicago Cubs' bullpen.

"Sure, why not? Everyone wants to be a closer. That's what I like," Marmol said.

Gregg and Marmol are competing this spring to replace Kerry Wood, whose decade-long run with the Cubs is over after a final season as a top closer.

So, will it be Marmol or Gregg? Gregg or Marmol?

"We'll do what is best for the team to win games, no matter what," pitching coach Larry Rothschild said Sunday. "I think Kevin is capable of pitching more than one inning at a time, also. I think both of them can do it."

Marmol carved out a role as a top setup man in 2007 when he made 59 appearances after being called up in May, going 5-1 with a 1.43 ERA. Last year he was 2-4 with a 2.68 ERA in 82 appearances and became one of the NL's best setup relievers.

Gregg came to Chicago from the Florida Marlins in a November trade that signaled the end of Wood's time with the Cubs.

Bothered by a sore left knee, Gregg finished 7-8 with a 3.41 ERA and 29 saves last season -- his nine blown saves tied for most in the majors. He compiled a 10.13 ERA in August, but it was under 2.00 every other month, including seven scoreless innings in September after he lost the closer's job. In 2007, he converted 32 of 36 save opportunities.

"I don't see it really as a competition," Gregg said. "I think we both can pitch in either role. I know he's been very successful as a setup guy and I've been successful as a closer. So where it leads to this year, we'll see what (manager) Lou (Piniella) is going to do and what he feels comfortable with.

"To me I'm just getting back in the groove of things, feeling comfortable with the knee."

Marmol was still undecided early Sunday on whether he'll pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Piniella had joked with Marmol that while he was away, Gregg would be throwing pitches at 98 mph for the Cubs.

"I think Lou is just messing around," Gregg said. "He's having a good time early in the spring. He knows what Carlos can do. He hasn't seen me on an everyday basis."

Gregg has been especially effective at Wrigley Field in his career. The 6-foot-6, 238-pound right-hander has four saves in the Cubs' home ballpark and hasn't allowed an earned run in 3 2-3 innings.

"I've played across the field from these guys for a number of years," he said. "I've given them some trouble over the last few years."

Even though the closer gets the headline, the setup man often gets outs that are just as significant.

"Sometimes that is the turning point in the game where you need that guy," Gregg said. "Getting the last three is different from getting those previous six or nine outs. ... Marmol's ability to get five or six outs, it's crazy just to watch him go out there and he dominates lefties and righties. That's one thing he's got working for him. He's resilient."

Rothschild said the decision might not come until three-quarters of the way through spring training.

Marmol said he's ready for either role and won't be upset if Gregg wins the closer job.

"I'm going to take the ball every time that they say," he said. "That's my job. It doesn't bother me. I want to (close), but they are the boss. I'm not a boss of the players."

Notes: Jeff Samardzija and Mitch Atkins are slated to throw two innings each Wednesday in the Cubs' exhibition opener against the Dodgers at HoHoKam Park. Sean Marshall will start Thursday's game against the Brewers and Ted Lilly will go on Friday against Texas. Lilly is scheduled to pitch for the United States in the WBC. ... Rothschild said Rich Harden is probably a week or 10 days behind the rest of the pitchers. Harden, who has a history of arm problems, has been throwing about 25 pitches in side sessions. He'll have that bumped up to 40 before he begins throwing batting practice. Rothschild said he expects him to be ready for the season opener. ... Carlos Zambrano, who pitched a no-hitter last year but also had some shoulder problems, is close to being on his regular spring schedule, Rothschild said. He said the Cubs will spread out Zambrano's appearances in exhibition games as a preventive measure to make sure his shoulder is strong. ... Andrew Cashner, the team's top pick in last year's draft, was impressive while throwing to a hitting group that included Derrek Lee. The 22-year-old Cashner was the 19th pick overall out of TCU. He pitched in eight minor league games last year and is a non-roster invitee.

[Associated Press; By RICK GANO]

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