Cubs Thu Apr 11 2013

Marmol's Role Doesn't Affect His Potential Trade Value

By Chad Ruter

KNOW YOUR ROLE, AND SHUT YOUR MOUTH!

Obviously the conversation that Dale Sveum and Carlos Marmol had after his latest explosion wasn't quite that dramatic, but the message was pretty clear. The Cubs are going in a different direction at closer to avoid a verb that drives the fan base to drink when the North Siders enter the 9th inning with a lead: Marmol'ing.

The organization was right in letting Marmol open the season as the team's closer. A bad spring training shouldn't affect the role of a proven veteran that was absolutely electric as recently as the second half of 2012. But if part of the reasoning in keeping him there was to enhance his potential trade value, Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer made a tactical error.

Opposing teams could care less where a guy pitches in the bullpen when they're looking at adding him mid season. Rarely do teams trade for a someone that can specifically fill the closer role. They either have someone pitching in the 9th they already trust, or they're probably not adding players because they aren't in contention in the first place.

What's important for Marmol's trade value isn't notching saves -- a statistic that's already in decline, or even irrelevant, amongst forward-thinking decision makers -- it's simply keeping the manager's blood pressure to a minimum.

Many thought the Cubs matched up well with the Tigers in spring training because Detroit was (and still is) in search of a closer to replace the departed Jose Valverde (who's now back with the team on a minor league contract). The Tigers likely didn't want to spend the excess cash or prospects the Cubs would've commanded, choosing instead to mix and match guys to buy time and see how the trade target relievers started the season. Sure, Marmol pitched well in 2012, but consistency from relief pitchers on a year-to-year basis is incredibly rare in the modern era. Teams are better off to wait and gauge in season performance. Plus, Jim Leyland smokes enough cigarettes without having to deal with Marmol.

Teams want relievers to do three things: throw strikes, keep the bases clear, and keep the ball in the stadium. Marmol has struggled in all three areas to start the season, which bodes horribly for his trade value. It didn't matter if he was pitching in the 9th inning or 5th inning, closing or not, nobody wants him if he can't find the plate.

It's possible that he could regain the closer role if he starts pitching like post-All Star break 2012 Carlos Marmol, but it's unnecessary to move him around if he's throwing lights out. If the team is contending, they're better off leaving him where he's succeeding. If they're not, don't mess with a good thing. There's no point.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOUR ROLE IS! If you're on the trade block, that is.