Cubs sign Brandon Morrow
Chicago bolsters bullpen with workhorse reliever.
The Cubs have agreed to a deal with right-handed reliever Brandon Morrow, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
The deal is a two-year deal with an option, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, and it is “expected to be” between $10 and $11 million per year, reports Heyman. The deal is also pending a physical, Passan reports.
Bruce Levine of 670 The Score first reported the Cubs were “closing in” on Morrow.
An 11-year veteran, Morrow is coming off a tremendous 2017 season with the National League champion Dodgers. The 33-year-old posted a 6-0 record with a 2.06 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP, 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings and 1.9 walks per nine, and did not allow a home run in 45 regular-season appearances. He was a workhorse in the postseason, pitching 13 2⁄3 innings across 14 appearances while posting a 3.95 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. Morrow also provides flexibility, as he has started 113 games in his career.
The Cubs have bolstered their bullpen after losing Wade Davis (4-2, 2.30 ERA and 12.1 K/9 in 59 appearances) to free agency. Along with Morrow, the Cubs currently have Justin Wilson, Carl Edwards Jr., Pedro Strop and Mike Montgomery in their bullpen.