Cubs Rumors: Cubs add Brandon Morrow, look for more relief help
The Chicago Cubs added a big-time relief arm on Sunday night, but they could still be in the market for their 2018 closer as the Cubs rumors heat up
After missing out on defending their World Series title by losing to the Dodgers in the NLCS, the Chicago Cubs took the first step to shoring up their bullpen, which could lose as many as 4 members of last season’s group to free agency, with a Cubs rumors confirmation of a signing on Sunday, pending a physical, of Brandon Morrow.
Cubs rumors have been heavy on pitching this offseason, both in prime starting pitchers and prime relievers. The team has already signed Tyler Chatwood and remains engaged in multiple other starting pitcher options, most notably Alex Cobb, but Morrow seems to answer those Cubs rumors on relievers with a first strike that likely will lead to at least one more big move.
Morrow’s contract
After pitching in every game of the 2017 World Series, many were introduced to the excellent season that Brandon Morrow seemed to have under the radar in 2017. After having not thrown in even 20 games in the major leagues since 2012, Morrow made 45 appearances for the Dodgers, throwing 43 2/3 innings, with a 2.06 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and a 9/50 BB/K ratio. In the postseason, he was excellent, even though he was leaned on heavily in the World Series, making 14 appearances in the postseason, with a 3.95 ERA, but a 0.95 WHIP, and a 2/12 BB/K ratio.
The Cubs rumors are that Morrow will have a chance to close with a 2 year, $21 million contract guarantee. The contract will pay Morrow $9 million in each of 2018 and 2019 with a $12 million vesting option for 2020 with a $3 million buyout.
Different reports have stated that Morrow’s 2020 option has a fairly attainable vesting clause, though because the contract isn’t official because of the physical not being completed, the details have not yet been released on that vesting option. It should be noted that Morrow’s health issues have led to his lack of time on the mound over the last 5 years as much or more as ineffectiveness.
Current Chicago Cubs bullpen candidates
Before the Morrow deal is finalized, current bullpen candidates would include Pedro Strop, Carl Edwards, Jr., Mike Montgomery, Justin Wilson, Justin Grimm, and a host of young/inexperienced arms like Cory Mazzoni, Dario Alvarez, Randy Rosario, and Dillon Maples.
The team has been rumored to be shopping Wilson due to the value he had at the deadline and what appeared to be a rough fit within the Cubs organization last season. It has been notable that while Wilson was one of the most effective lefty relievers in the game in the first half of 2017, the Cubs have been snagging many left-handed arms on the cheap this winter, namely Alvarez and Rosario.
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More Cubs rumors on bullpen arms
The Cubs have been rumored on multiple other bullpen arms as well, and very feasibly, Morrow could find himself being the setup man for another arm that has not yet been signed by the Cubs.
Cubs rumors have linked the team to former closer Wade Davis along with Bryan Shaw, Anthony Swarzak, and Jake McGee. McGee would continue the aforementioned push for lefty arms seemingly happening in Chicago and a likely push out of Wilson in the bullpen, but of that list, the only certain closer ahead of Morrow would be Davis.
It has been notable this offseason that the depth of Cubs rumors haven’t touched on any other free agent closers outside of Davis, but the team has been rumored to be interested in both Rays closer Alex Colome and ace Chris Archer. The issue in pursuit of both would be the significant lack of prospects in the now-barren Chicago Cubs farm system after using their farm assets in deals to acquire Davis, Aroldis Chapman, and Jose Quintana the last two seasons.
Whether Morrow is closing in 2018 or working as a member of the back end of a deep bullpen, the Chicago Cubs should be happy with this signing as long as Morrow can continue to remain healthy.