THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
JUPITER - In the Florida Marlins clubhouse, closer Kevin Gregg stands out.
It's partly because he's 6-foot-6 and weighs 238 pounds. And then there's the $2.5 million contract, which makes him the best-paid player for the National League's most frugal franchise.
"I laugh at it, but it's cool," Gregg says. "It's the dynamics of this team. In baseball terms it's not a lot of money, but I'm not going to turn it down."
Relief pitchers rarely top a team's salary list. But while slugger Miguel Cabrera and ace Dontrelle Willis were traded to Detroit in December to pare the payroll, the Marlins decided Gregg was a luxury they could afford.
Last year he became a closer for the first time and led Florida with 32 saves in 36 opportunities, an 89 percent conversion rate that ranked fourth-best in the NL. He was rewarded with a raise from $575,000 in 2007.
"It's exciting because you're on the radar," Gregg said. "You have the pressure on continuing to pitch well. People are counting on you, and I enjoy being under the microscope."
A holdover closer is a rarity for the Marlins, who have had a different saves leader every year since 2001. Gregg anchors a bullpen that should again be a strength of the team - he's one of five returning relievers who threw at least 58 innings with a sub-3.70 ERA last season.
Because Florida's injury-ravaged rotation struggled, the bullpen ranked third in the major leagues in innings.
"We put together a great year last year," Gregg said. "I think we can be even better if we aren't worked as hard as we were. It was a big workload. That's not the best avenue for a bullpen, but we did it and did it well.
"If the starters go into a game a little deeper, we're going to be fresh and even better."
Gregg was primarily a starter during his eight years in the minors. He has been almost exclusively a reliever since reaching the big leagues with the Angels in 2003, but he came to the Marlins a year ago with only one career save.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez tried three other pitchers in the closer's role - with disastrous results - before giving Gregg a chance in mid-May.
"It was like, 'Hey, we don't have a closer? Let me take it on,'" Gregg said. "Finally, Fredi said, 'The ball is yours. Let's go.'
"It was something I always wanted. Then you finally get it, and it's like, 'OK, this is my moment. Is this really who I am, and can I really pitch at this level?'"
The answer was yes. He converted his first 15 save chances for Florida and became the anchor for a patchwork bullpen.
How quickly could Gonzalez tell that Gregg was up to the job?
"Obviously not quick enough, because we didn't use him in April and May," Gonzalez said with a laugh. "The son of a gun told us in spring training, 'Hey, I can close.' He had never done it, but he took the bull by the horns."
Gregg finished with a career-high 74 appearances and an ERA of 3.54. In 84 innings, he had 87 strikeouts while allowing only 63 hits.
The right-hander showed good command and a willingness to throw any pitch in any count. He won praise from teammates for his cool demeanor both in the clubhouse and on the mound.
"He's almost stoic," catcher Matt Treanor said. "When things get crazy, he's calm enough to understand, 'This is what I need to do,' rather than going into panic mode and trying to reinvent stuff."
Gregg agreed, recalling a game against Colorado when he nursed a one-run lead in the ninth. With runners on first and second and two out, he walked Troy Tulowitzki. He then struck out Yorvit Torrealba on three pitches to end the game.
"I knew what I was trying to do," Gregg said.
"Kevin has the confidence in himself to say, 'Hey, I can load the bases and still get this next guy out,'" Treanor said. "Good closers do have that."
That's why they make the big bucks, even with the Marlins.
