Kevin Gregg - Fantasy News & Updates
Kevin Gregg - Fantasy News & Updates
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Marmol began the year as the setup man for the Cubs, but the ineffectiveness of closer Kevin Gregg forced manager Lou Piniella to make a change and hand the ninth-inning reigns to Marmol. He converted all but four of his save chances, but his recurring inability to find the strike zone made him a liability. His stuff is unquestionably nasty -- in addition to his 11.31 K/9 ratio, opponents hit just .170 vs. the hard-throwing righty -- but he’ll have to harness the wildness if he expects to become an elite fireman.
Gregg, who lost the closer's job in mid-August to Carlos Marmol, compiled a 4.72 ERA in 72 games with 23 saves. He tried to argue for at least one or two more appearances in the final week of games. Manager Lou Piniella and the Cubs medical staff, led by athletic trainer Mark O'Neal and orthopedic specialist Dr. Stephen Gryzlo, said no. "He's had a lot of discomfort," Piniella said. "He doesn't know how it happened. I know one thing, he's done a nice job here this year." Gregg's last appearance was Sept. 20 in St. Louis when he went 1 1/3 innings in relief.
Gregg suffered his third blown save in five appearances Monday, prompting manager Lou Piniella to make the change at the back of the bullpen. With save opportunities on the way, Marmol is well worth adding in all formats. Just keep in mind that the right-hander has issued 52 walks in 56 1/3 innings, so his hold on the closer job could be short-lived if he doesn't shore up his control.
Piniella has lost confidence in Gregg, who notched 61 saves over the previous two seasons, only to struggle in 2009. "I think we're going to make some changes as far as what we're going to do in late innings," the skipper said. "We'll have some word [Tuesday]." Angel Guzman, John Grabow or -- more likely -- Carlos Marmol could be the closer in the Cubs' next save situation. Stay tuned.
Gregg has had a rocky August, blowing three of five save chances thus far, picking up three losses, and seeing his ERA rise from 3.83 to 4.47 over the course of just eight appearances. Cubs fans and fantasy owners weren't expecting Gregg to be the second coming of Dennis Eckersley, but they had to be expecting more than this. Former closer-of-the-future and current walk-afflicted wildman Carlos Marmol has been even less dependable than Gregg this year, and there are few other end-of-game options in the Chicago 'pen, so it's likely that Gregg will be allowed to try to pitch through these recent struggles.
Gregg's record in August has been marred by two blown saves to begin the month (Aug. 1-2) and another outing Aug. 11 in which he gave up a solo home run. That he continues to receive save chances should be comforting enough for his owners, but Carlos Marmol could receive opportunities to close out games if Gregg doesn't recover from his shaky performance in August.
Gregg has had a rough go of it this month, including a pair of blown saves that have shot his ERA north of 4.00 for the first time since late June. Gregg has blown five saves this season, but his other numbers are all in line with his typically solid year spent slamming the door on opposing clubs.
Gregg, who blew consecutive save opportunities against the Marlins in Florida, took two days off to rest what he called a tired arm, similar to the dead-arm phase some pitchers go through in Spring Training. The rest was a precautionary move to keep the right-hander healthy for the rest of the season.
Gregg had converted 10 consecutive save opportunities until this past weekend, when he twice gave up the lead and yielded a combined five earned runs in just 1 1/3 innings of work. Carlos Marmol will likely see save opportunities in Gregg's absence.
Aaron Heilman got his first save of the season after Gregg couldn't, but Gregg's hold on the closer spot remains secure. Not so much because Gregg has been dominant -- although he had saved 10 straight before this implosion -- as because there's no one in the bullpen to take the gig from him. Gregg's peripherals aren't eye-popping, but he's in line for plenty more saves -- or at least save opportunities -- if the Cubs continue their recent hot streak.
Gregg has cashed in his last 10 save opportunities and 21 of 24 on the season. While he’s certainly been a serviceable fireman, his 3.42 ERA prevents him from being thrown into the conversation of elite closers.
After Aaron Heilman permitted a pair of dingers in the ninth inning, Gregg's number was called upon to close the game. He did just that with his fourth save in five appearances. It was his third appearance in four days, although the one batter he faced Saturday shouldn't have done much to tire his arm.
Gregg's season ERA rests at a handsome 3.25, the lowest it's been all year. The 31-year-old veteran has held off the advances of youngster Carlos Marmol en route to establishing himself as the Cubs everyday closer. Expect plenty more saves going forward.
It had been a long wait for Gregg to record save No. 11 -- seven outings over 16 days to be exact. yet there was Gregg with his ninth consecutive scoreless appearance. Expect more of the same from the closer going forward.
Gregg had blown his previous save chance on Tuesday, so it was nice to see him bounce back. Despite the presence of the hard- throwing Carlos Marmol in the Cubs bullpen, Gregg's closer job remains safe.
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