Gregg Closing in Toronto

Toronto Blue Jays - Kevin Gregg

Gregg was officially named the Blue Jays' closer Wednesday by manager Cito Gaston; "We're just going to reverse the roles a little bit until Jason Frasor can get back to where we think he should be."

Gregg has a 0.23 WHIP in 4+ IP with 6 K and is 3 for 3 in save chances to open the season.

He has recorded 52 saves in the last two seasons, but has never been impressive and he has lost his job each time.  He might be worth a ride, but he is likely to lose his job at some point and either Jason Frasor or Scott Downs will take over.

Sin City Scout

The Closer Report: April 13, 2010 7 Saves

SAVES:
Mariano Rivera (3) - Came in for a short .2 inning save and nailed it over the Angels, striking out one.  Rivera is already in mid-season form and not showing his age at all.  For all of you that are expecting Rivera to falter and regress in 2010, it won't happen.  I feel he's due to regress a bit next year, but even that is a solid closer.

Jose Valverde (2) - Valverde mowed down the Royals 1-2-3 in 12 pitches and was fired up as usual completing the comeback for the Tigers.  So far so good for Valverde.

Rafael Soriano (2) - Got another ugly save.  Something hasn't been right with Soriano so far, but he did get the save and a strikeout.  His one blip was a solo home run to Ty Wiggington.

Kevin Gregg (3) - The Blue Jays won their 6th straight game and their bullpen has been taxes.  Everything out of Toronot is that Frasor is just getting rest after making five appearances already in this early season.  Gregg looked fantastic, facing the minimum number of batters and recording two strike outs.

David Aardsma (3) - Had some control issues tonight, but overwhelmed the A's onward to his third save of the season.  The two walks were a small blip on an otherwise nice night.

Francisco Cordero (4) - Second save in 2 days.  He made quick work of the Marlins, disposing of them on 11 pitches, striking out two.  Cordero has looked nothing less then superb to start the 2010 season.

Octavio Dotel (2) - Dotel got ripped for a 2-run home run from none other then Eugenio Velez, but luckily had a three run lead.  His season WHIP is still low at 1.00, but his ERA balloned to 4.50 in the short season.

Listen to Todd "The True Guru" Farino breakdown all the closer activity three times a week on Blog Talk Radio. Every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 11pm PST. www.blogtalkradio.com/the-closer-report  or download the podcast on ITunes!

Spring Training Updates: Closers

Jon Rauch - Twins
He has won the closing job in Minnesota. He has some closing experience and pitched well as a setup pitcher for the Twins in 2009. he should settle in and be a solid closer.

Jason Frasor - Blue Jays
He has beat out Kevin Gregg for the closing job in Toronto.  He has been involved in trade rumors, so both Gregg and Scott Downs should still be in the race if something happens.

Heath Bell - Padres
No news here except there is a good chance that Bell will be traded at some point and that makes setup pitcher, Mike Adams, a player of fantasy interest.

Ryan Madson - Phillies
Brad Lidge is injured and Madson will get first crack at the closing job.  He wasn't very good in this role in 2009, so proceed with cation.  Danys Baez will get a shot if Madson fails.

Chris Perez - Indians
Kerry Wood is on the DL again. If Perez pitches well he will keep the job.

Huston Street - Rockies
He will start the season on the DL and miss at least a month.  Franklin Morales will get save chances until Street returns. Manuel Corpas could be in the mix if Morales fails.

Impact Analysis: Kevin Gregg, Toronto Blue Jays

By Todd Farino, http://www.thecloserreport.com/

Let me start this post by saying that the Blue Jays are a mess across the board.  Their offense and bullpen lack defined role players and their starting pitching lacks experience.  That being said, they have a whole bunch of possible closers with the addition of Kevin Gregg.  I've been stating that I don't think Scott Downs or Jason Frasor make good choices at closer for the Blue Jays.  Not only are both pitchers in the final year of there contracts, but Downs is better as a lefty specialist and Frasor as the primary setup man.
So what statement were the Blue Jays making by signing Gregg?  It's says allot.  First, management isn't confident in the backend of the bullpen and didn't like the choices they had at closer.  Granted Gregg isn't the best closer and has knee issues, he will at very least compete for the job and help formulate and credible backend for the Blue Jays bullpen.
I believe at this point the job is Gregg's to lose.  The Blue Jay's got the man they wanted.  I veteran closer who if healthy can be a reliable 30 save closer.  The problem for fantasy owners is he will never get that many saves.  I  project 22 saves for Gregg and only 27 save opportunities for the Blue Jays as a whole.  The Blue Jays just lack offensive support to give them late inning leads.

Gregg Out As Cubs Closer

After another poor outing, Kevin Gregg has lost his job as Cubs closer. The final straw came during last night's game in San Diego. Gregg was attempting to preserve a 1-0 Cubs lead, but gave up a three run home run to Kyle Blanks, and then allowed another run to score later in the inning, costing the Cubs a win. After the game Cubs Manager Lou Pinella said that changes were coming in the Chicago bullpen. Gregg who has earned 23 saves on the season, has also blown 6 saves and allowed 12 Home Runs in 56.2 innings. He is likely to slide into a set up role. Two relievers from the Chicago bullpen are candidates to move into the closer's role. The first is familiar name, Carlos Marmol (65% owned in Yahoo Leagues). Marmol, who closed some for the Cubs last year, has terrific raw stuff, but has struggled with his control this season (he's walked 52 in 56 innings). The other possibility is Angel Guzman (3% owned in Yahoo Leagues). Guzman has been the Cubs most consistent reliever, with a 2.42 ERA, .98 WHIP, and 39:15 K:BB ratio. Manager Lou Pinella has not officially named a replacement, but odds are that Marmol, because of his closing experience, gets the first chance to close games. If he's available, Marmol is the guy to target. However, be ready to pounce on Guzman if Marmol struggles.

Marmol records a rainy day save

Marmol got the save because the game was called in the 8th inning due to some nasty weather. Gregg would have came in the 9th inning for the save.

Marmol gave up 2 hits and 2 walks along with an ER. He got the save, but he also earned a 4.00 WHIP and 9.00 ERA. No strikeouts.

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Marmol Notches 2nd Save

Carlos Marmol notched his second save of the season Friday night, but didn't do it smoothly. He opened the inning with a walk and hit batter before retiring the next three with one strikeout.

Clearly Pinella could have gone with Kevin Gregg, but his dependability with his gimpy knee could spell doom for the closer. If his knee stiffens he can't pitch and that might be causing him problems right now.

They were warming up Marmol before Soriano belted a home run off of Chris Perez in the 8th and he decided to stick with him. Either way, we told you that Marmol would get at minimum 20 saves this year and he now has 2.

Gregg is still the closer, but watch the reports on his knee and do not bench or trade Marmol. However, if you can acquire him via trade, now is the time.

Gregg Beats Out Marmol

Chicago Cubs named Kevin Gregg to be the team’s closer over thought-to-be closer Carlos Marmol. They both where battling to replace All-Star closer Kerry Wood, who signed with Cleveland during the offseason. Gregg had 32 saves in 2007 and has 62 for his career, so he has the experience edge. Marmol, who also pitched for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic and went 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in spring training. Marmol still has value as a setup man and ace back-up closer, but this is a huge disappointment for Marmol owners. Sin City Scout