Manager Lou Piniella announced on Sunday that Kevin Gregg would open the season as the teams closer. Gregg beat out last years setup man Carlos Marmol for the closers role. Many fans had thought that Marmol would be the closer once Kerry Wood was not resigned but Gregg has had a great Spring Training and has not allowed a run compared to Marmol who has a 4.50 ERA and hit five batters.

Marmol didn’t sound to happy about it when he was asked about the decision. Here is what he had to say when he was asked if playing in the World Baseball Classic made a difference in the decision:

“I don’t think it would’ve made a difference,” Marmol said. “They knew what they were going to do before I got here. That’s why I say there’s not competition.”

Asked to clarify, Marmol switched his tone.

“I don’t know,” Marmol said. “I guess we’re going to get ready for the season, no matter what. You’ll see the same smile. I’ll be the same guy. I’ll throw my 80 innings, do my job. I can’t make their decision. I can’t control it.”

Sure Gregg has been named the starter, but things can sure turn around quickly. If Gregg does not perform in the first 10-14 games, I would expect the team to make a change and give Marmol a chance. Marmol will also get some opportunitis when Gregg needs a rest and hopefully that is very often because that would mean that the team is winning multiple games in a row.

In other moves, the team has announced that catcher Mark Johnson, infielders Andres Blanco and Esteban German and outfielders Brad Snyder and So Taguchi had been re-assigned to Minor League camp. Relief pitchers Kevin Hart and Randy Wells were both optioned down to Triple-A Iowa as well. Is Hart’s time done with big league team? He has had many chancs and still can’t keep a spot on the big league roster.