Sep 4, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher
Carlos Marmol(49) reacts after being called for a balk during the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Rockies won 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
It’ll be a tight race on which is more painful to look at at Marlins Park – the albatross of a sculpture beyond the left-center field wall or Carlos Marmol take the hill.
Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes reported the Miami Marlins agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.25 million deal with the former Chicago Cubs closer, ending speculation that he may end up back in the National League Central with Milwaukee.
Marmol was dealt to the Dodgers midseason last year after putting together an unflattering first half with Chicago. He went 2-4 with a 5.86 ERA with the Cubs, and was a major piece of a bullpen that blew 26 saves in 2013, ranking third-worst in the league in terms of earned run average.
The change of scenery seemed to do Marmol a bit of good, as he posted a much-improved 2.53 ERA in his time on the West Coast, over three runs lower than in Chicago. That being said, he still walked 19 batters in 21 1/3 innings – indicating his control issues were hardly a thing of the past.
During his big league career, Marmol has walked more batters (366) than he has allowed base hits (355). In the move to Miami, the right-hander will likely see seventh-inning action, given the Marlins have closer Steve Cishek waiting in the ninth inning to nail down games. Last year, Cishek posted a 2.33 ERA and notched 34 saves for Miami.