Cubs avoid arbitration with Marmol

The Cubs and Carlos Marmol have avoided arbitration.  In his first arbitration eligible year, Marmol was seeking $2.5 million while the Cubs were offering $1.75 million.  The two sides reached an agreement Thursday morning at $2.125 million.

Marmol ended the year as the Cubs' closer and will resume that role this season.  Carlos was 2 and 4 last year, with a 3.41 ERA and 15 saves out of 19 save opportunities.  Marmol logged 74.0 innings last year in 79 games. 

Marmol's signing leaves Ryan Theriot as the only arbitration eligible Cub who has not yet signed.  By all accounts, it looks like the Cubs will not be able to reach a deal with Theriot, which will prompt an arbitration hearing later this month.