I've been thinking for a week or so about parallels between our closer situation and the 1990 Reds. I don't remember how it played out, only that Myers got the majority of the saves.

I think we've got great options for late inning work, and I'd be happy with any of the 3 working the 9th regularly.

Obviously, Marmol proved to be the only one with a true 'out' pitch last year so I'd lean towards him but since Lou is running the show we've at least got someone who has dealt with shuffling closers successfully in the past.

Any thoughts on who it should be and whether we need to work on naming rights for our trio of fireballers?

Also...I don't know how to creat a text box, but here is text from ESPN Spring Training blog:

HOWRY TO CLOSE FOR CUBS? (9:14 a.m. ET)
 The Cubs enter spring training with a three-way competition for the closer's job, but manager Lou Piniella told WGN-TV in Chicago that Bobby Howry might have the edge based on the way he filled in for Ryan Dempster last season.

Howry has taken his "front-runner" status in stride.

"I have no inside information," Howry said, according to The Chicago Tribune. "Until you go through it and play it out in spring training, their thoughts and what they discuss behind closed doors and in their meetings is between them and isn't shared with us."

Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol are the other candidates competing with Howry for the closer's job.

I didn't see this posted anywhere else, so thought I'd pass along in case anyone hadn't heard yet. Bedard in Seattle for physical today. Please refrain from skewering me over yet another Roberts related diary. Just the messenger here.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-bedard207,0,7467653.story?track=rss