Blast(?) From the Past: Cubs Sign Kevin Gregg to Minor League Deal

Today the Chicago Cubs announced that they’ve signed former closer – and former Cub – Kevin Gregg to a minor league deal.

OMGLOL NEW CLOSER ROFL.

No, no. The Cubs have probably been talking to Gregg, 34, who’s been waiting for the right opportunity, for some time now. With Carlos Marmol flailing and Kyuji Fujikawa injured, it’s as likely that Gregg decided to move on the Cubs as it is that the Cubs got desperate. The AAA bullpen has a number of interesting fringe options already, so I just can’t see the Cubs being induced into a Gregg-sized panic at the big league level. Depth never hurts, and Gregg has pitched successfully in the big leagues. For now, the Cubs will stash him in the minors, and see what he’s got left in the tank. That’s all this is.

Of course, “pitched successfully” is a relative term. His brief time with the Cubs in 2009 netted him a 4.72 ERA, and a prompt dismissal from the organization. From there, he caught on for a very good year closing with the Blue Jays, and then a couple meh years with the Orioles before he was released in September 2012. The upside here is both remote and low, but the risk is basically non-existent. No reason not to sign him to a minor league deal if he’s into it.

For now, Gregg will train in Mesa before finding a landing spot in the organization. He pitched fairly well this Spring for the Dodgers, but didn’t ultimately make the team.