Chicago Cubs upgrade bullpen with Brad Brach
By David Hill
A quiet offseason for the Chicago Cubs is no longer, as they have reportedly signed Brad Brach to a one year deal with a mutual option for 2020.
It has been a quiet offseason for the Chicago Cubs. The biggest news to come out of the north side was that they had agreed to a contract with Addison Russell, a controversial move given his suspension for domestic violence. Instead of pursuing the top free agents, the Cubs have remained silent.
However, on Wednesday, there were some signs of life. The Cubs made a move in free agency, reportedly signing free agent reliever Brad Brach to a one year contract with a mutual option for 2020.
Brach deal with #Cubs is at least $4.35M for one year, sources tell The Athletic. Both player and club have options for 2020. Deal could grow to two years, $9.5M if Cubs exercise their option. Two-year guarantee would be less if team declines and Brach exercises his option.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 24, 2019
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A solid piece in the Orioles bullpen over the previous three years, Brach struggled with Baltimore in 2018. He posted a 4.85 ERA and a 1.769 WHiP with the Orioles in 2018, one of many disappointments on a team that had a historically awful season. However, once he was traded to the Braves, he rediscovered his form, posting a stellar 1.52 ERA and a 1.310 WHiP over his 23.2 innings in Atlanta.
The Cubs certainly hope that they get the Brach from the past five years. After being acquired by Baltimore, he has posted a 2.89 ERA and a 1.215 WHiP, striking out 365 batters against 142 walks in 351.1 innings while establishing himself as one of the better setup men in the game.
Brach also likely holds added appeal to the Cubs due to his history as a closer. Forced into the role due to injuries to Zach Britton over the past two years, Brach served reasonably well, nothing 30 saves. Brandon Morrow, the Cubs current closer, is hardly a bastion of health, missing time last year when he injured his back removing his pants, and then suffered inflammation in his biceps that sidelined him for the rest of the year. With Morrow having undergone minor elbow surgery earlier this month, adding another pitcher who can handle the ninth inning makes perfect sense.
Next. Cubs improvement could come internally. dark
Brad Brach may not be the earth shaking move that Chicago Cubs fans would want to see, but he is a solid investment for a team needing bullpen help. If he returns to form, he is also the perfect insurance policy for the oft injured Brandon Morrow at closer.