Carlos Marmols Adventure

Kyle Pisanti (Administrator): @Baseball_Ways

Photo Credit: www.chicagomag.com
Carlos Marmol has been released by the Chicago Cubs on 6/25/2013.
It was a matter of time until they were to release him as they are looking to
 go into a new direction with their young ball club. Marmol is only 30 years old,
but every year he continues to depreciate in talent.

Carlos Marmol was once an unbearable pitcher to face when standing in the batters box. The Cubs signed Marmol as a free agent in 1999 out of the Dominican Republic. Surprisingly, the Cubs signed him as a catcher/outfielder but his statistics were not there so he was turned into a pitcher. Now, 14 years later, the Cubs are moving in a new direction with Marmol. Marmol is 2 for 5 in save opportunities this year and is tossing a 5.86 ERA. He is costing his team more than helping them. With the fire sale coming up for the Cubs, Marmol's release was only the beginning.




Early in Marmol's career, he was striking out more than 40% of the batters he was facing, now that number is near 20%. His HR/9 has doubled all of his seasons besides his rookie season. His K/9 has also been going down over the years. Marmol can be a great fit for a lot of ball clubs out there. There is a great chance that he does get picked up by a team, but his role will more than likely be different. Instead of Marmol pitching in the ninth, teams are looking to pitch him in the sixth or seventh. Marmol can go back to that strikeout pitcher if he can get his command down. My biggest worry is that a team striving for the postseason will be picking him up which will happen. Can Marmol handle the pressure? He has not been in this type of situation for years since he has played for the losing Chicago Cubs. He has not pitched in the postseason since 2008. He has pitched 4 games in the postseason, all games with results that did not go his way.

Now, what team could be the best fit for Marmol? The Tampa Bay Rays have had one of the worst bullpens in MLB and are chasing the division as they are 4.5 games back. Is there a possibility that the Rays would go after Marmol? Of course there is but in the end the Rays will decide not to pick him up. The Rays are in a dangerous division with some of the best hitters in MLB. This would be a bad fit for Marmol as he would be getting set up for failure.

Next, we will talk about the Atlanta Braves. They are atop their division and have had a reliable bullpen.The Braves have had their injuries in the bullpen and to pick up Marmol would add support to their bullpen.
Overall this puts the least amount of pressure on Marmol and the Braves are in a win-win situation with Marmol. They will not need him to come in right away and pitch in clutch situations.

The final team I want to talk about the possibility of Marmol going to would be the San Diego Padres. The Padres do need some support in their bullpen. They are chasing their tight division and have an opportunity at winning it. It is the definition of a high risk-high reward for the Padres and Marmol. If he can become the strikeout pitcher that he once was then this puts the Padres at a much better stance in their division. At the same time if Marmol continues his losing ways then the Padres will be regretting their acquisition.

Photo Credit: playersview.net
Wherever Marmol ends up, he will have to bring his best stuff.
Marmol is still very young for a pitcher at 30 years old and
 still has a lot to prove.