The Cubs are expected to sign closer Carlos Marmol to a long-term contract this spring, but an announcement will not be made until the right-hander undergoes a physical.
Marmol is the team’s only arbitration-eligible player still unsigned. The two sides have exchanged figures, with the Cubs offering $4.1 million and Marmol seeking $5.65 million.
The right-handed pitcher would need to undergo an exam before a multiyear deal could be finalized, and that would most likely be done when pitchers and catchers report to Mesa, Ariz., for Spring Training on Feb. 13.
This is the second arbitration year for Marmol, who will not be a free agent until after the 2012 season.
In his first season as closer in 2010, Marmol saved 38 of 43 opportunities and struck out 138 batters over 77 2/3 innings. His 15.99 K’s per nine innings was the highest single-season mark for a reliever in Major League history. Eric Gagne had the previous high of 14.98 K’s per nine.
Marmol, 28, made $2.125 million last season, a significant hike from his 2009 salary of $575,000.
On Jan. 18, the Cubs signed arbitration-eligible pitcher Sean Marshall to a two-year, $4.7 million deal.
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry had settled 36 consecutive arbitration cases before Ryan Theriot’s hearing last February. Theriot was seeking $3.4 million and the Cubs offered $2.6 million. Theriot lost the case but still received a raise from his $500,000 salary in 2009.
The Cubs have a 4-2 record in arbitration cases.