Chicago Cubs: The 2010s All-Decade Team

The All-Decade Chicago Cubs Bullpen

Carlos Marmol, Closer

• Years: 2010-2013
• Saves: 94

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As is often the case with closers generally, Marmol’s performance with the Cubs was mercurial. He finished 70 games in 2010, saving 38, and added 34 more saves in 2011. In 2013, though, the league caught up to Marmol, who was traded to the Dodgers and who was out of the majors entirely by May of 2014.

Hector Rondon, Right-handed Setup

• Years: 2013-2017
• Saves: 77

Rondon succeeded Marmol as the team’s main closer, generating 29 saves in 2014, and 30 more in 2015. He saved another 18 during the first half of 2016 but when the suspicion took hold that the league was catching up to Rondon the Cubs traded for Aroldis Chapman to buttress their post-season plans. Consigned thereafter to setup duty, Rondon was released following a lackluster 2017 season.

James Russell, Left-handed setup

• Years: 2010-2014 and 2015
• Saves:  4

The Cubs brought Russell to the majors in 2010, and he appeared in 365 games for them, largely as a left-handed specialist. Russell fanned 223 batters in 306 innings across two stints with the Cubs., who traded him to Atlanta in 2014 for current backup catcher Vic Caratini, then re-signed him as a free agent less than a year later.