Kevin Gregg Proving Jim Hendry Haters As Prophets

When your closer has a 6.06 ERA, six saves, a 2.88 average against, and one blown save, you may wonder when he is going to turn a new leaf. After all, he may have been groomed in your minor league system for a while, or he was a big-name free agent acquisition.

In this case, Cubs fans are asking, "We traded for this guy?"

The Kevin Gregg acquisition, which sent AA pitching prospect Jose Ceda to Florida, was never popular in the windy city. Gregg did lead the NL in blown saves last year, and with the dumping of Bob Howry, Cubs fans were optimistic for a bullpen without a scapegoat.

It is becoming increasingly obvious that Gregg has in fact become the scapegoat for 2009.

In Saturday's tilt against the Houston Astros, young pitcher Randy Wells had pitched six-scoreless innings (his second-straight superb performance), and the Cubs were entering the final frame leading 4-0.

Despite it not being a save situation, manager Lou Pinella decided to use his closer in this spot because he hadn't pitched since May 12.

Crack! Lance Berkman launches a towering shot into the bleachers—no big deal, still a three run lead.

Smack! "Cub Killer" Carlos Lee matches him with another shot out of the park. 4-2.

Bloop! Two more runs come in on a single to center field. Still, nobody out.

Luckily for Gregg, Sean Marshall worked out of the jam for the final out, and Alfonso Soriano lofted a game-winning single, driving home 31-year-old rookie Bobby Scales, half an inning later, pushing their winning streak to five games. 

Gregg's season has been inconsistent, leaning toward the bad side. He seems to work his best stuff when pitching back-to-back days, holding a 1.80 ERA and converting both saves in this situation.

However, when having two days rest, Gregg has been abysmal. In this situation, Gregg has an ERA of 11.57, blowing his lone save of the season, and walking six batters—double the amount he has walked on zero days rest.

When Gregg does close the door, he gives fans a mild heart attack in the process, averaging 20 pitches per save. In one outing this year, it took Gregg 35 pitches to record two outs in a 10-0 loss to Arizona.

A high pitch-count usually means walks and base-runners, and his numbers, as mentioned above, show it.

Despite having the third-worst ERA in the bullpen (above only Neal Cotts and the sparingly-used David Patton), he ranks in the top 10 on the club in salary, earning $4.2 million for his services, the highest-paid relief pitcher on the team.

Meanwhile, Ceda, formerly the Cubs' No. 4 prospect and currently the Marlins' 10th rated prospect, has been optioned back to minor league camp, but his high-90 mph fastball is expected to hit a major league park near you soon.

Former Cubs closer Kerry Wood is not performing much better. Wood has a 6.00 ERA in Cleveland thus far, with five saves and one blown opportunity.

Where do the Cubs go from here? Carlos Marmol is the obvious first option, but Pinella likes him in the eighth inning, and he usually does not budge when his mind is made up (See: Soriano leading off).

After Marmol, nobody jumps out as an immediate fix, making it Gregg's job to lose.

Unfortunately for Cubs fans, if he doesn't lose his job, they may lose their season.