Cubs manager Mike Quade has removed Carlos Marmol from the closer after their game Friday July 15. The day before Marmol blew a save in spectacular fashion, giving up 5 earned runs on 1 hit and 4 walks, and then struggled on the 15th allowing 2 hits, a walk, and an earned run before beinig pulled for Sean Marshall. Quade announced after that game that save chances for now would be split between Marshall and Kerry Wood based on the situation. Marshall has blown his only save chance since the announcement, coming in in the 8th against the Phillies with a 2-0 lead, allowing 3 earned runs on 5 hits over 2 innings pitched. If you have an extra roster spot and are hard up for saves, I would hang on to Marmol because this switch may not last a la the Joakim Soria switch. If you have to choose between Marshall and Wood, I would take Marshall for potential saves.

After Francisco Rodriguez was sent off to Milwaukee, the closer job was up in the air between the veteran Jason Isringhausen and the young gun Bobby Parnell. It’s much clearer now and it seems like Jason Isringhausen has the job for now. Parnell was used in both Tuesday and Wednesday’s games in the 8th inning and Isringhausen was used in the 9th (and 10th Wednesday). Parnell might an occasional chance when Izzy needs a day off but for now the job belongs to Isringhausen.

On Saturday the 16th Joe Nathan was moved back into the closer role after another blown save by Matt Capps, his 7th of the year. Since that point, Nathan has been good, converting 3 saves in the last week. Maybe Nathan is back to his old solid self after previously being good in the setup role. Nathan needs to be owned in every league if he’s not already.

J.J. Putz will likely be returning to the majors on Tuesday but will not be immediately put back into the closer role. David Hernandez will continue to close games in the immediate future, and as well as Hernandez is pitching, Putz may be a candidate to be traded to a contender. Hang on to both for now if you have them and wait and see what manager Kirk Gibson decides in the coming week.

Heath Bell is the biggest name on the trading block for relievers and there’s much speculation he’ll be moved before the July 31 deadline. The situation behind him was made much clearer Thursday where it was reported by Yahoo Sports that Mike Adams was told he will not be traded this season, making him the closer-in-waiting for the Padres. Adams is owned in only 21.8% of ESPN standard leagues and could be the closer there very soon, making him worth a pickup sooner rather than later.

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