Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011
Posted 11:32 p.m.
By David Kaplan
CSNChicago.com
The Chicago Cubs are moving towards finalizing a multi-year deal with star closer Carlos Marmol. The 28-year-old had 38 saves in 2010 with a 2.55 ERA and 138 strikeouts setting a major league record by averaging 15.9 K's per 9 innings.
Marmol is considered one of the most dominant closers in the game but does deal with bouts of wildness that hamper his effectiveness at times. He hit 8 batters and walked 52 in 77.2 innings of work last season.
The deal is expected to be completed before pitchers and catcher report to spring training next weekend.
Marmol and the Cubs went to arbitration with Marmol asking for 5.65 million and the Cubs countered at 4.1 million.
David Kaplan is the host of Chicago Tribune Live on Comcast SportsNet. Follow him on Twitter @thekapman.