For those casual Cubs fans that do not know why I would worry about a relief pitcher with an incredible slider and a terrific 10.6 K/9 ratio, let me remind you that this guy has been a head case for years. He is a converted outfielder/catcher that three years to prove himself in a setup role and already lost the closer job once in spring training.

For those of you that want statistical proof, look at Marmol’s splits and scroll down to the situational numbers below his performance against players on the right side and left side of the plate, below his monthly performances, and far below his performance against each team.

Look at his performance with bases loaded and scoring position with two outs. Pitching with the bases loaded in a position (where it is impossible to pass the buck) he held runners to a .077 batting average…but allowed runners to walk across home plate six times in 19 plate appearances. That means he allowed an on base percentage of .350. This is pitiful compared to the league’s top closers and is awfully close to one of last season’s worst, the Philadelphia Phillies’ Brad Lidge.

His numbers become even more terrifying when he is presented with the too often predicament of having runners in scoring position with two outs. He was in this position 50 times in 2009. He walked the batter 12 of those times. Combined with the nine hits he allowed, he allowed opponents a .442 on base percentage or an almost 50 percent chance of keeping the inning alive.

Now, if we had a terrible starter I could avoid purchasing Chicago Cubs tickets to his start (if I did not have season tickets, which I do not); however, if our closer is a head case who loses control of his pitches every time the pressure kicks up a notch I cannot avoid catching an end of a blown game. Hopefully I am reading a little too much into the nitty-gritty and the 15 saves in 19 opportunities is a far more relevant and telling stat.