With Matt Capps seemingly on his way to the Nationals and the Cubs still in need of a right handed set-up man at the back of their bullpen, I ask, why not turn to an all too familiar face in Kevin Gregg?
Let me start out by saying I am a Cubs fan, and this suggestion is in no way meant as ill will towards the North Siders.
Simply put, Kevin Gregg is not a closer, at least not in large market such as Chicago where each outing is put under a microscope. While he was seemingly unable to take the pressure of the ninth inning, he is in no way a bad pitcher.
Take away last season, and Gregg has a career ERA of 4.00 with a K/9 rate of 8.1. This is about on par, or slightly better, than what is still available on the free agent market.
The Cubs have made this mistake before, giving up on a hell of a set-up man in LaTroy Hawkins because he was a terrible closer. Now I realize Gregg was never a set-up man prior to closing, but he has the power arm to flourish in the role.
Gregg is also in his second season following knee surgery which is historically more successful than the first for pitchers, and should be stronger than ever. Not only that, but he has seen limited interest on the free agent market, with the lowly Pirates being his primary suitor, although they are looking at him to close.
So why not bring him back for a year, and hope that he can recapture his pre-surgery form? Just make it clear to him and Cubs fans everywhere that the ninth inning belongs to Carlos Marmol.
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