We’ve all prayed long and hard to be delivered from the madness that is Carlos Marmol. If Bruce Levine is right (not betting on it), the Chicago Cubs are likely to trade their up-and-down closer before the start of the regular season. What’s the scoop, Bruce?
Several teams, including the Detroit Tigers, are taking a hard look at the reliever, according to league sources, with the regular season just three weeks away. Detroit is going with 22-year-old rookie Bruce Rondon as their closer, replacing Jose Valverde who is a free agent.
Marmol will earn close to $10 million this season and can opt for free agency in November. Marmol can veto a deal to four West Coast clubs, but a source said Marmol would most likely waive that clause knowing he would be traded to a contender.
Remember when, for two hours, we thought Carlos was headed to Anaheim for Dan Haren? Those were the days. Levine also says that Kyuji Fujikawa will inherit the closer role should Marmol be traded. Outside of the starting rotation, the biggest hole in the Cubs lineup at the moment is third base. Ian Stewart is still laid up with a quad injury, and we all know how Dale Sveum feels about him anyway.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t say it would be a big question,” Sveum said before a 6-3 loss to the Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. “There’s just not that many at-bats. You have to be very productive in those at-bats. (Luis) Valbuena’s obviously playing and doing a really good job.”
So Dale still has his Valbuena Valboner. Looks like we’ll be seeing plenty of Luis, even if Stewart manages to make the team.
So what will Stewart do if he’s cut loose so the Cubs don’t have to pay his full $2 million salary?
“That’s the last thing I want to really think about,” Stewart said. “I had such a great relationship with Theo and the front office over the winter that I trust them. (I) trust the fact that they brought me back here to be a part of the team, whether that’s April 1 or…hopefully I don’t have to start the season on the DL, or even with another team.
“I just trust them that everything we talked about before I came back to the Cubs is what they believe in.”
Oh, Ian Stewart. What are we going to do with you? One player we don’t have to worry about this spring is Joe Mather. But Brian Bogusevic showed up in his place.
“He’s been the Joe Mather of camp so far,” Cubs manager Dale Sveum said of Bogusevic, who was batting .533 in eight games.
A left-handed hitter, Bogusevic could be valuable, especially if he could not only play outfield but backup at first if needed.
“The at-bats he’s put together, the at-bats he’s had against left-handed pitching [have been good], and he has a pretty good track record in the big leagues as a pinch-hitter as well,” Sveum said. “He’s the leader in camp right now with everything. I’ve been impressed with his outfield play, his arm. I know he can play the outfield, so I’m going to get him as much time as I can at first base. He said he’s not super comfortable there.”
His pretty good track record as a pinch-hitter last year was .242. He hit .203 overall for the Astros. His career average pinch-hitting is .280.
“Salt River Fields at Talking Stick” is seriously the name of a facility?? That’s as kludgy as “The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.” Can you imagine: “Come watch The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick!”
“His pretty good track record as a pinch-hitter last year was .242.”
It IS “pretty good” compared to Stewart. Sadly.
Just as long as they both GO….
I really should start watching the Blackhawks.
Dammit! Paul Bearer has died.
Oh, good lord.
Very very sad. Great manager.
He didn’t “manage” anything. You know wrestling is fake, right?
huh?
Not sure what’s more shocking; that he’s dead, or that he was only 58.
Carrie Fisher is saying she is going to be in the next Star Wars movie.
Um…
Ugh.
WHAT? SHE SHOULD BE IN THE NEXT STAR WARS MOVIE.
The woman, and her drug damaged body, can barely put together a coherent sentence.
I agree with her being in the movie. Playing a large part, however, I would not be down with. They do need something to connect the original trilogy and the new films.
Well, Harrison Ford is to be in it…so there is a connection there…and Mark Hamill is rumored to be in negotiations with them right now. It’s just that of the 3, Carrie Fisher, in my opinion, is the furthest from being physically able to do any reasonable acting right now.
You know this because of the all the time you spend with her on the weekends?
Have you seen any of her public appearances in the last 10 years?
Actually yes. And I haven’t found her to be anything like you have.
This
And how many acting roles has she had in that time?
She had a great run with Berkeley Rep a few years back. She’s an old burnout who has focused on making her sobriety central to her life and work. While the burnout may have been a rarity in your youth, they are now celebrated cultural figures.
You obviously haven’t read her book or seen her on stage, because she’s absolutely briliant, hilarious, and a hero of mine.
Carrie Fisher was taken to the hospital in February off a a cruse ship, due to a bi-polar incident while performing on the ship. They had to hospitalize her to adjust her medication. Given that, and the fact she states she has ECT therapy every 6 weeks, I really think that appearing in the Star Wars film is not in her best interests…
Yes…I’ve seen some of her stuff…and she is great in those particular engagements…in fact, her ability to lay fun at herself and other people is great…
None of this really retracts anything I said…she shouldn’t be in the new Star Wars movie.
I should add…I don’t think Mark Hamill should be involved either. He looks like crap.
He’s looked like crap since right after A New Hope.
I don’t think Carrie is as much of a mess as you do. She’s a brilliant writer and speaker. She’s not a falling-down basketcase.
I can’t image that any of the original characters (other than Chewie and the droids) will have big parts in upcoming movie. I’m guessing small cameos for everyone.
You are probably right about that. All three would probably not have any significant role.
But I think Harrison Ford would still be pretty kick ass in the movie.
So glad to know I’m not the only one that’s been thinking about this:
http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/53174/the-new-springfield-nine
I don’t totally agree with this guy’s list…but I love the concept.
Stupid daylight savings time starts this weekend.
Stupid.
Saving. Not savingS.
You’re welcome.
Good grief.
Hey Guido, I mean Doc,
I like it because it’s actually still kind of light when I walk out of the brewery.
Looks like Castro is going to be out for a while longer. Not sure if the Cubs are saying 10-12 days from the date of the injury or 10-12 days from now, though.
HOLD HIM OUT!!!! I have him in 1 of my keeper leagues, the one where I have to have a min of 4 Cubs, and there are NOT 4 Cubs I want on my fantasy team as it is!!! Lose Castro, and I’m screwed!
GOD, don’t make me pick up Nate Schierholtz…
Castro isn’t going to be out for the season…a week or two in April is no reason to not keep him.
Of course I plan to keep him, I’m concerned he comes back before he should, and then it’s chronic off-and-on through the entire season.
I’m actually more concerned about Mark Teixeira right now. I think his injury is something that could linger the entire season.