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Here's A Possible Destination For Carlos Marmol

There's a team out there with relief pitchers piling onto the DL with injuries. Perhaps they could be interested in a certain Cubs reliever?

By Al Yellon
USA TODAY Sports

Catching up on various bits of baseball news yesterday, I came across this article about the Atlanta Braves' bullpen troubles. The Braves have had one of the best bullpens in baseball over the last couple of years, but recently, just about all of their top guys have been injured:

Just when the Braves' injury situation seemingly couldn't get any worse, the club announced Eric O'Flaherty has a tear in his UCL.

O'Flaherty has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, although Frank Wren said Saturday afternoon that a quick recovery is not expected. He will meet Dr. James Andrews this week, and it seems highly likely that reconstructive surgery will be needed. If that's the case, EOF would be out for the remainder of the year.

The news of O'Flaherty being lost for the season comes days after Jonny Venters was lost for the season with his second Tommy John Surgery in five years. Jordan Walden, who has dealt with injuries throughout his career, was also placed on the 15-day DL with right shoulder inflammation.

In addition to all of that, the previously-invincible Craig Kimbrel has a 5.87 ERA and three home runs allowed in his last eight appearances. The Braves, then, could use some bullpen help, and the Talking Chop article above says this:

Wren also said on Saturday that the club would look outside the organization to help restock the bullpen. Make of that what you will.

Hmmm. Hmmmmmmm. Which club is it that has a relief pitcher that it's been rumored to desperately want to unload all year, despite public reports to the contrary? That's right, the Cubs, and the reliever is Carlos Marmol.

With about a quarter of the season remaining, there's about $7 million left on Marmol's deal. Pay the money and get a mid-level prospect in return. The Cubs will need a roster spot by Tuesday, when Matt Garza returns to the rotation against the Pirates in Pittsburgh, and Carlos Villanueva heads to the bullpen. This would seem to me to be a reasonable way to clear that roster spot. What say you?

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