The Reds have released right-hander Carlos Marmol, Baseball America’s Matt Eddy reports. Cincinnati signed Marmol to a minor league deal in May, though he was placed on the restricted list just a few weeks later after he left the team without permission. Paul Kinzer, Marmol’s agent, said his client needed a “mental break” and left to address some personal issues at home in the Dominican Republic.
Marmol, 32, posted an 8.10 ERA, 14 strikeouts and 10 walks over 13 1/3 IP for the Marlins last season before he was released and subsequently signed with the Reds. Once one of baseball’s top relief arms, Marmol’s career-long control problems grew completely untenable in recent years (a 7.3 BB/9 since the start of the 2012 season) though he was still able to miss bats, as evidenced by his 11.1 K/9 in that same stretch. Over a nine-year MLB career with the Cubs, Dodgers and Marlins, Marmol has a 3.57 ERA, 11.6 K/9 and 6.2 BB/9 over 577 innings.
Maybe a cheap fixer upper for the Pirates?
Pirates should look at other options first. Mike Adams, Joel Hanrahan, Kevin Gregg etc.
No! Even Pittsburgh can’t fix Marmol.
I’m sure someone will give him an invite to Spring Training with the hope he can get his head right. If he could be even half of what he used to be, he could help some team out. That’s a VERY BIG if however
Stuff’s too good. Fastball moves too much to stay in strike zone. Kind of a unique case, but still, that K percentage will give him more chances.
No it won’t
-Henry Rodriguez
I’ll always remember his walk-off wild pitch late in 2011 to give the Cardinals a shot at the Wild Card.
I remember he threw two perfect meatballs in a row to the upton brothers and they walked off.
A pitcher who can’t throw strikes is like a salesman who can’t sell.
I wonder if Doc Cooper can fix what problems he has? Minor league contract with a s.t. invite is what I’d offer.