Cubs settle with Marmol, add Millar
February 4, 2010
CHICAGO (AP)—Pitcher Carlos Marmol(notes) and the Chicago Cubs agreed Thursday to aone-year contract worth $2,125,000, the midpoint between the figures the sidesexchanged in arbitration last month.
In addition, Chicago reached a minor league contract with first basemanKevin Millar(notes).
Marmol, a 27-year-old right-hander, was 2-4 with 15 saves in 19 chances anda 3.41 ERA in 79 relief appearances last year, taking over as closer from KevinGregg(notes) on Aug. 18.
Eligible for arbitration for the first time, Marmol had asked for a raisefrom $575,000 to $2.5 million and had been offered $1.75 million. In addition tohis base salary, he can earn $100,000 in performance bonuses based on gamesfinished: $50,000 each for 55 and 60.
With Gregg not re-signed, Marmol won’t have competition for the closer’srole this spring. But what the Cubs do want from the hard-throwing right-handeris better control.
Marmol was 11 for 11 in save chances after taking over the closer’s role. Helimited batters to a .170 average during the season and surrendered only twohomers.
But his season was also filled with bouts of wildness. He walked 65 battersin his 74 innings, threw six wild pitches and hit 12 batters.
Since the beginning of the 2008 season, Marmol has made 161 reliefappearances.
Shortstop Ryan Theriot(notes) is the Cubs’ last player in arbitration.
The 38-year-old Millar hit .223 with 14 doubles, seven homers and 29 RBIs in251 at-bats for Toronto last year. A member of Boston’s 2004 World Serieschampions, he has a .274 average, 170 homers and 699 RBIs in 12 big leagueseasons, also spending time with Florida and Baltimore. While with the Marlins,he was a teammate of current Cubs Ryan Dempster(notes) and Derrek Lee(notes).
His uncle, Wayne Nordhagen, played for the Cubs in 1983.
