Chicago Sports Then and Now

On Thursday, the Cubs and closer Carlos Marmol agreed to terms on a one-year, $2.125 million deal for the 2010 season, a payraise of over $1.5 million from 2009.  The agreed upon figure was the exact midpoint between Marmol’s asking price of $2.5 million and the Cubs’ original offer of $1.75 million.

Marmol is happy about his new deal

Marmol was named the club’s closer in August of last year, going 11-for-11 in save opportunities and leading the team with 27 holds for the season.  He will likely not have to compete for the job this season, as former closer Kevin Gregg was not offered a new deal and signed with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Marmol becomes the seventh arbitration-eligible Cub to re-sign before reaching a hearing, with infielders Jeff Baker and Mike Fontenot, catcher Koyie Hill, right-handed pitcher Angel Guzman and left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny agreeing earlier in January, and left-handed pitcher Sean Marshall agreeing to a $950,000 deal last week.

With those players signed, the only outstanding arbitration-eligble player for the Cubs is shortstop Ryan Theriot.   Theriot is asking for $3.4 million in 2010, while the Cubs have countered with $2.6 million.  Either way, “Riot” will be getting a significant raise from his 2009 salary of $500,000.  If it gets to that point, the hearing will take place sometime before February 21.  

The reason this is significant for the Cubs is because the last time the organization had an arbitration case with a player, it was with first baseman Mark Grace.  Back in 1993.   The club hopes to avoid breaking that streak, but it does not appear that either side has made progress towards a deal.  Regardless of his salary figure, look for Theriot to be the Cubs’ starting shortstop on opening day.

In other signing news, the Cubs ended their search for a fourth outfielder last week by signing Xavier Nady to a one-year, $3.3 million deal.  Nady, who is coming off his second Tommy John Surgery, can earn an additional $2 million in incentives.  Look for Nady to primarily play right field against left handed pitching, splitting time with the left-handed Kosuke Fukudome.

While Nady appears to be a lock for the 25-man roster, the Cubs have also signed two veterans who will be competing for such a spot.  Chad Tracy and Kevin Millar have each signed Minor League deals with the Cubs, and will be fighting with Micah Hoffpauir in spring training for the right to backup Derrek Lee.

With these signings, the Cubs appear to have their starting offense in place for the 2010 season, and plenty of options for their backups.  What remains to be determined is who will make the starting rotation along with Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Randy Wells, and the injured Ted Lilly, who should return in May.    Options for manager Lou Piniella include Marshall, Gorzelanny, Jeff Samardzija, and new acquistion Carlos Silva.  Look for that decision to be made sometime towards the end of spring training.