During Talkin’ Baseball on ESPN 1000 Saturday morning, Bruce Levine indicated the Cubs would still like to add an arm to the backend of the bullpen.
With Carlos Marmol going into camp as the closer, the Cubs are looking for a pitcher to replace Marmol as the primary right-handed setup man. If they go outside of the organization, there are two realistic options.
According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs have serious interest in two pitchers … Jason Frasor and Luke Gregerson. The Blue Jays could be willing to trade Jason Frasor after signing Kevin Gregg earlier in the week. Frasor will be a free agent following the 2010 season. He avoided arbitration last month by agreeing to a $2.65 million contract for the upcoming season.
Bruce Levine thinks the Blue Jays might be willing to send a little money along with Frasor in a deal with the Cubs. Levine said the Jays are not planning on keeping Frasor’s entire salary for the upcoming season after signing Kevin Gregg … the addition of Gregg is what makes Frasor more available than before.
If the Cubs trade for either Jason Frasor or Luke Gregerson, one of three pitchers could be moved … Angel Guzman, Sean Marshall or Tom Gorzelanny.
Marshall and Gorzelanny are viewed as the same pitcher with the exception that Marshall can pitch out of the pen. Gorzelanny has tried to be a reliever but has not been as successful as Marshall. Another factor in one of the three pitchers possibly being moved … Angel Guzman and Tom Gorzelanny are out of options. Sean Marshall would have to clear optional assignment waivers in order to be sent to Triple-A, basically making him out of options as well.
Sean Marshall avoided arbitration on January 27 by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $950,000 … Tom Gorzelanny and Angel Guzman avoided arbitration on January 19. Gorzelanny inked an $800,000 contract and Guzman signed an $825,000 deal.
If the Cubs do not make a trade, Angel Guzman has the inside track to be the Cubs right-handed option in the eighth inning. Other candidates include Jeff Gray and Esmailin Caridad according to Levine.
The Padres have been interested in Angel Guzman for a while (at least rumored interest) … and view him as an option to be a closer if they trade Heath Bell.
Luke Gregerson’s Page on Baseball Reference
Jason Frasor’s Page on Baseball Reference
Stay Tuned …