Chicago Cubs: Remembering the worst performances of the decade

Chicago Cubs: Carlos Marmol in 2013

Carlos Marmol burst onto the scene out of the Chicago Cubs’ bullpen in 2007, putting up a ridiculous 1.43 ERA, and he made the National League All-Star team the next year. He would eventually become the team’s closer and earned 107 saves between 2019 and 2012. Marmol had a knack for getting into jams of his own making, particularly due to walks, but was often able to get out of them.

The right-hander’s luck had run out by 2013. The season started off badly, as he allowed runs in each of his first three outings, and Kevin Gregg would eventually become the closer. Marmol’s ERA with the Cubs in 2013 was 5.86 in 31 appearances, as Marmol became a lightning rod for the team’s struggles on the field. The Cubs would trade Marmol to the Los Angeles Dodgers during the season, and he was actually decent for LA down the stretch. Marmol last appeared in the majors with the Miami Marlins in 2014.

Chicago Cubs: Edwin Jackson in 2014

Hoping to take a step forward in their rebuilding process, the Chicago Cubs signed free agent starting pitcher Edwin Jackson to a four-year deal prior to the 2013 season. To this day, Cubs fans still regard it to be one of the worst moves of the Theo Epstein era.

2013 wasn’t a total disaster, as Jackson posted a 4.98 ERA, but he did lead the league in losses with 18 pitching for a bad team. 2014, however, was yet another story, as the right-hander’s ERA ballooned to 6.33 in 28 outings (27 starts). A lot of fans forget that Jackson was actually decent in relief for part of the 2015 season before moving on to the Atlanta Braves.

Somehow, Jackson continues to find major league work, splitting time between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers in 2019.