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The Chicago Cubs have informed closer Carlos Marmol that he is on the trading block, reports Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun-Times:
Source: Cubs have told Marmol he's trade candidate but they won't "give him away." #fujikawa
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) December 3, 2012
Chicago acquired Japanese right-hander Kyuji Fujikawa over the weekend on a two-year, $9.5 million deal. The NPB veteran, who posted a 1.77 ERA and racked up 220 saves over 12 seasons with the Hanshin Tigers, is expected to take over the closer role at Wrigley, leaving the 30-year-old Marmol without a job.
The Cubs attempted to trade the hard-throwing right-hander away for veteran Los Angeles Angels starter Dan Haren in October, but the move fell through at the last minute when issues arose over Haren’s health.
Marmol, who posted a 3.42 ERA in 61 appearances for the Cubs in 2012, is owed $9.8 million next season before becoming a free agent. The right-hander has always had the ability to miss bats, posting an 11.7 K/9 rate in seven seasons, but also is very good at missing the strike zone, walking an absurd 6.0 batters per nine.
