Report: Cubs to sign standout reliever |
The Chicago Cubs have found a big piece for their 2018 bullpen.
According to multiple reports on Sunday, the Cubs have agreed to a two-year contract worth $21 million with a $12 million vesting option for 2020 in place with right-handed reliever Brandon Morrow. The deal is done but just pending his physical before it is official. The Cubs were in need of some bullpen help as they parted ties with Hector Rondon and the question surrounding whether closer Wade Davis would be back on the North Side. The 33-year Morrow could close for the Cubs as the team will probably still add one more bullpen piece in the next few weeks. He was the Dodgers top set-up man last season and he is a major get for the Cubs as they have bolstered their team weakness. In 2017, Morris was 6-0 with an impressive 2.06 ERA with 50 strikeouts, 0.95 WHIP, and nine walks in 45 games. Two of the interesting stats of the season is that he didn't allow a home run in the regular season and averaged 10 strikeouts per nine innings pitched last season. His fastball is still electric when an average of 97.7 mph in 2017. In the 2017 postseason, he had a 3.94 ERA (pitched 14/15 games). He was the second pitcher in history to pitch in all sven games of a World Series. For his career, he has a 4.05 ERA with 18 saves, 846 strikeouts, and 1.32 WHIP. The Cubs will now turn their full attention during Winter Meetings to free agent starter Alex Cobb to round out their starting rotation. As I wrote early in off season, Cubs can fix their pitching issues through free agency without breaking the bank. I still don't see trade of a core position player. One more decent FA arm and their almost there.
