Karlos Marmol (Plus A Tangent)

Note: Much of this post is just a highlight of the discussion and comments from this post.

Marmol's 2010 Stats:
24.2 IP, 1.46 ERA, 1.84 FIP, 2.09 xFIP, 1.14 WHIP...17.88 K/9.

That's right, 17.88 K/9. 49 K in less than 25 IP. By contrast the almighty Johan Santana has 49 K in 63.1 IP this year.

In the history of baseball, amongst all pitchers who have tossed 150+ innings for their career (and there are 3,641 of them), Carlos Marmol has the lowest Hits per 9 (H/9) rate of all of them
at 5.64. Billy Wagner has the second lowest H/9 at 6.08. Interestingly enough, the top 5 is rounded out by Troy Percival of all people (6.09), Francisco Rodriguez (6.16) and Joakim Soria (6.23).

The five worst pitchers in terms of H/9 on this list are a bunch of guys whose names I don't recognize, but scrolling thru the list, the worst H/9 pitcher whose name I do recognize is Carlos Silva, at 10.89.

This segues into the tangent point.

Can the Cubs please trade Carlos Silva? His smoke and mirrors routine this season may have certain clubs in need of a RHP sufficiently enticed to allow the Cubs to trade him. Put the Silva is overperforming argument aside. The Cubs need to move a starter and Silva is the worst of the bunch, despite the fact that he is 6-0 and "pitching well." For example, the Cubs might be able to trade Silva to the Dodgers, who want to get rid of George Sherrill. Alternatively, what about trading Silva to the Rangers for Rich Harden and Frank Francisco? Cubsfan4ever suggested that one, and I think it's plausibly possible.

Next, can the Cubs please get rid of Ryan Theriot? Theriot is an average/decent player up the middle, but his "value" comes from his ability to play shortstop, not his weak bat, and Theriot is no longer needed for the shortstop position. Plus, I love Mike Fontenot.

Theriot's weak arm, only slightly above average range, and generally poor offensive skills (good OBP, no power) make him entirely expendable for the Cubs, who have runs-producing/bullpen needs. Personally, I think a trade of Theriot to the Angels for Kevin Jepsen makes the most sense, followed closely by a trade of Theriot to the Padres for Luke Greggorson or Mike Adams (maybe this latter trade is just fantasy).

The Cubs have done well over their last 10 games, but somethings need to change if they are to compete this year.