Chicago Cubs: Brandon Morrow’s time on the north side is done
By Ryan Sikes
Brandon Morrow suffered another setback and has been shut down for the season. This will go down as one of the worst signings ever for the Chicago Cubs.
The Chicago Cubs struggled to permanently fill the closer’s spot after acquiring Aroldis Chapman in July 2016. The move ultimately led to a World Series Championship, the first since 1908, but Chapman signed with the team from whom he was traded in the offseason. The Cubs got a year of service from Wade Davis in which he collected 32 saves during the 2017 regular season.
He too left via free agency for a big payday. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer fell for Brandon Morrow being utilized in every game of the 2017 World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers and envisioned him to be the closer of the future. At least for two seasons at the rate of $10.5 million per year. He last pitched for the Cubs on July 15, 2018, earning his 22nd save of the season.
However, not all was good news as Morrow bruised a bone in his elbow in that outing. He tried to come back in time for the postseason but felt lingering issues creep up and was promptly shut down for the 2018 season.
Flash forward to this season. Most people knew he wouldn’t start the year in the big leagues but would likely be available after the All-Star break. Well, as one would guess, he experienced another setback and has been shut down again.
Morrow has a $12 million club option for 2020 which will almost surely be declined. It was not a great signing in the first place, especially for a guy who has spent the better half of his professional career on the injured list. At least Theo Epstein is taking the blame for it:
Epstein said it was a “calculated risk” in signing Morrow: “That’s on me,” Epstein stated.....Was good when healthy but only lasted half season.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 21, 2019
It doesn’t excuse the signing but at least they were proactive in signing Craig Kimbrel to a three-year deal shortly after the 2019 MLB Draft. Having Morrow back in the bullpen would have only been a bonus but it’s still a tough pill to swallow. His (Epstein) signings since the 2017 offseason have been questionable at best.
Next. Anthony Rizzo is most important Cub in division race. dark
Tyler Chatwood figured to be a key asset in the rotation last season but was sent to the bullpen at the end of July. Albeit, he’s been terrific this season in that role but he’s an expensive reliever at that. Yu Darvish, until only recently, has started to show some consistency and then there’s the Brandon Morrow signing.