Marmol closes deal

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs might not know how they’re going to start this season, but they know how they’ll finish for the next three years.

And if Carlos Marmol continues to pitch even close to the way he has the last few seasons as a setup man and closer, his new three-year, $20 million deal could put him in position to join the conversation for top closers in team history by the time it expires.

Marmol, whose 38 saves in a fifth-place season last year tied the No. 3 mark in franchise history, already ranks sixth with 61 on a Cubs career list topped by Lee Smith (180) and Bruce Sutter (133).

It might seem small consolation to have a dominant closer locked up to a multiyear deal when you’re not sure whether the rest of the team can make him relevant — just ask anyone who watched Sutter’s five years in Chicago without a winning season.

But between closer problems in 2009 before ­Marmol took over from Kevin Gregg in August and setup problems early last season as the Cubs struggled to replace the promoted Marmol, the Cubs also know quickly seasons can founder when a team that gets good starting pitching can’t hold late leads.

‘‘It can sometimes get overstated, but to have somebody you can count on to finish a game is huge,’’ manager Mike Quade said. ‘‘It’s been talked about a bunch of times how devastating late-inning losses can be.’’

The long-anticipated deal gives the Cubs some payroll relief on the front end, with a $3.2 million salary this season, then rises sharply to $7 million next season and $9.8 million in 2013 — the year he would have become eligible for free agency.

He made $2.125 million last season.

‘‘Is that a Valentine’s Day gift or what?’’ Quade said. ‘‘I didn’t want flowers. I’ll take that.’’

Marmol and the club avoided arbitration (a hearing was scheduled for today).

‘‘I told my agent I don’t like arbitration,’’ said Marmol, who set a major-league record last year with 15.99 strikeouts per nine innings. ‘‘I never went before, but I know from other guys. So this is good. I feel very good about this. .  .  . I feel very grateful.

‘‘Hopefully, [next time] I can sign a 10-year deal.’’

Said general manager Jim Hendry, laughing: ‘‘I hope I’m here to do it.’’

Marmol might have something to say about that, especially if he cuts down on his tendency to fall into command slumps (6.02 walks per nine innings last year).

‘‘Coming from the other side, we always knew with him coming in the ninth if he commanded his pitches, he was going to be tough,’’ said Cubs pitcher Braden Looper, who saw Marmol from the St. Louis bench and Milwaukee bench from 2006-09.

‘‘That [command] was the thing. If he can do that consistently moving forward, even better, you’re talking about he could be one of the elite closers in the game. His slider’s unhittable when he’s got it going.’’

Despite last year’s fifth-place finish, Marmol was fourth in the National League in saves with a 2.55 ERA, and opponents hit just .147 against him.

‘‘He’s had just a tremendous career for a guy who was a catcher in the minor leagues until [farm director] Oneri Fleita talked him into becoming a pitcher,’’ Hendry said. ‘‘We expect great things out of him. He showed last year he’s one of the best closers in baseball.

‘‘Obviously, his strikeout ratio is off the charts.’’