Carlos Marmol Is Cubs' Closer Again

The 2012 Chicago Cubs are absolutely terrible, so they rely on their closer less than most. They're still supposed to have a closer, though, and as of the beginning of May, that closer was no longer Carlos Marmol. Marmol had struggled too much, and the Cubs had things they wanted him to work on.

Marmol evidently did enough, because Friday, he's back in the saddle. Carrie Muskat:

The Cubs needed to stabilize the bullpen and have decided Carlos Marmol is back as the closer.
[...]
“We told [Marmol] he’s done everything we’ve asked him to do and his side sessions and his work and he’s been throwing his fastball more,” Sveum said.

As a non-closer, Marmol threw nine innings, walking nine and striking out 12. Not necessarily effective numbers, but certainly not dull numbers. Rafael Dolis, Shawn Camp, and James Russell have all recorded at least one save this year, but now we're back to Marmol and oh man are we still talking about who's closing for the Chicago Cubs?

Friday, Marmol was handed a three-run lead against the Red Sox in the ninth. He allowed a hit, he surrendered a walk, and he kept the Red Sox off the board. Mission not not accomplished.

Chicago Cubs Bouncing Carlos Marmol From Closer's Role

Carlos Marmol once struck out 16 batters for every nine innings he pitched. Think about that. Think about a closer who strikes out a batter per inning. Now think of that closer slipping in an extra strikeout in seven of the nine innings he pitches. That's insane.

But as Marmol was striking out half of the National League, he was walking the other half. He walked six per nine innings in 2010 when he had that career-best K/9, and he walked just under six per nine innings last season. The strikeout rate slipped, though. And in the first part of 2012, Marmol's control and strikeout numbers both went in the wrong direction, leading to blown saves and a 6.23 ERA. Now he's out:

Marmol officially informed by Dale Sveum that he is out as Cubs closer. No defined role as of yet.

— David Kaplan (@thekapman) May 4, 2012

The likely replacement is rookie Rafael Dolis, who has been the anti-Marmol when it comes to strikeouts, but seems like he can be almost as wild. His career BB/9 in the minors: 4.5. His career K/9 in the minors: 6.9. This is first full season above AA. Best of luck, Cubs!

Should Cubs Stick With Carlos Marmol As Closer?

Carlos Marmol has blown 13 save opportunities since the beginning of the 2011 season. Is it time for the Cubs to try someone else in the role?