Rafael Dolis no longer Chicago Cubs closer

Rafael Dolis allowed the game-winning run against the Pittsburgh Pirates on an HBP to cause the Chicago Cubs to lose their 11th straight game. Matt Hague was the victim/beneficiary of the errant throw, and the mishap certainly came at the worst possible time, as the bases were loaded. Hague, a corner infielder, was promoted and took Nate McLouth‘s roster spot after the much-maligned outfielder was designated for assignment after a horrid start to the year. Dolis’s HBP ended up scoring Jose Tabata on the play.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum has impressed many with his knowledge of the game, and the former Milwaukee Brewers manager has relinquished Dolis of his closing duties. He previously removed Carlos Marmol from that role, as both relievers have struggled this year and Marmol and his hefty contract will likely be on the trade block if his play improves when he gets back from a hamstring injury.

So far this season. Rafael Dolis has a 5.29 FIP in 25.1 innings with more walks than strikeouts (3.9 K/9, 5.3 BB/9). His BABIP against of .241 should actually help him, but that hasn’t been the case. Dolis has been horrible (-0.4 WAR), and Sveum has definitely made the right choice.

James Russell and Shawn Camp will most likely share closing duties for the Cubs, but Russell isn’t anything to write home about. He has been extremely lucky this season, and his 4.26 FIP is a much better indication of his overall value than his 1.74 ERA. In 137.1 career MLB innings, Russell has been worth -0.5 WAR.

Shawn Camp, meanwhile, was a veteran offeseason acquisition who even skipped around different teams before the season started. Camp had two impressive 0.7 WAR seasons in 2007 and 2008 and is an average reliever who is on pace for a 3.70 ERA.

This season, Camp has been solid with a 2.84/3.23/3.70 pitching triple slash in as many innings as Dolis has pitched. His walk rate is around his career average, and he has been striking one batter more per nine innings than usual. He has been lucky this year, but Camp is still in the midst of a quality season. Neither of them are closing quality, but Camp is at least serviceable whereas Russell is questionable.

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