Headlines

  • Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin
  • Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury
  • Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib
  • Tucker Barnhart To Retire
  • Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline
  • Reds Release Jeimer Candelario
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Latest On Cubs’ Bullpen Targets

By Steve Adams | November 16, 2017 at 10:49am CDT

The Cubs’ bullpen search figures to be expansive this offseason, but Patrick Mooney of NBC Sports Chicago provides some insight into the team’s thinking. Per Mooney, while the Cubs performed their due diligence on Zach Britton at this week’s GM Meetings, they found the asking price to be too high this past summer and aren’t likely to rekindle those talks. Rather, they’ve landed on free-agent righty Brandon Morrow as one potential ninth-inning option and will also monitor the market for former White Sox/D-backs/Mets closer Addison Reed in free agency, according to Mooney.

Chicago got an up-close look at Morrow in the National League Championship Series as he made four practically unblemished appearances against them (4 2/3 innings, one hit, one walk, no runs, seven strikeouts). The resurgent Morrow, whom the Dodgers signed on a minor league contract last offseason, burst back onto the scene midway through the 2017 campaign and emerged as the Dodgers’ best non-Kenley Jansen reliever late in the year. The 33-year-old Morrow turned in a 2.06 ERA with 10.3 K/9, 1.9 BB/9 and a 45 percent ground-ball rate in 43 2/3 regular-season innings before dominating for much of the postseason.

The Dodgers rode Morrow incredibly hard in the playoffs, though, and by the end of the World Series some fatigue was clear. Morrow became just the second pitcher in MLB history to pitch in all seven games of the World Series, and he appeared in a staggering 14 of the Dodgers’ 15 postseason contests. Though he was excellent in most of those games, he was shelled for four runs without recording an out in Game 5 of the World Series — the lone game in 2017 in which he was asked to pitch on three consecutive days.

That extreme postseason workload and Morrow’s greater injury history could give some teams pause in the free-agent market, but interest in Morrow figures to be robust all the same. We pegged him for a three-year deal on our top 50 free agent list, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see half the league express some level of interest.

As for Reed, he’s been as durable as relievers come. The 28-year-old (29 next month) has never been on the disabled list in the Majors and has averaged 67 appearances and 66 innings per season over the life of his big league career. Reed has plenty of ninth-inning experience, having 15 or more games in four separate seasons.

Control was an issue for the Chicago bullpen for much of the season — their 4.25 BB/9 rate tied for second-worst among big league bullpens — and it’s one area in which Reed excels. He’s averaged just 2.3 walks per nine innings pitched in his seven-year career, and that includes an even more minuscule 1.6 BB/9 mark over the past two years. (It’s perhaps telling that the Cubs are interested in two free-agent relievers that ranked among the top of the free-agent class in terms of best control.) Reed’s age, durability and track record make him one of the more appealing arms on the market — to the point that we pegged him as one of just four relievers to secure a four-year deal on this year’s free agent market.

It stands to reason that Morrow and Reed are just two of many names that the Cubs are intrigued by in the early stages of the offseason. In addition to free agency, there will be no shortage of relievers discussed in trades this offseason. President of baseball ops Theo Epstein, however, implied to Mooney that the Cubs may not continue to operate as they have in recent years when it comes to targeting bullpen talent, stating that he has no desire to “make a it a habit” to trade players with five or six years of control (e.g. Jorge Soler, Gleyber Torres) for one-year rentals.

Share 0 Retweet 5 Send via email0

Baltimore Orioles Chicago Cubs Addison Reed Brandon Morrow Zach Britton

Offseason Outlook: Arizona Diamondbacks
Main
Yankees Reportedly Interested In Jurickson Profar
View Comments (35)
Post a Comment

35 Comments

  1. Mikel Grady

    8 years ago

    Let’s get both. Resign Davis and sign Cobb and Lynn, call it a day

    Reply
    • bigjonliljon

      8 years ago

      Leave Davis out. Too much money. Get Morrow, Reed, and one more cheaper mid tier guy. That settles pen. Morrow closes. Add Cobb, and a number 5 SP and staff is set

      1
      Reply
      • ABCD

        8 years ago

        I like this.

        Reply
        • richdanna

          8 years ago

          Yep

          Reply
      • CubsFanForLife

        8 years ago

        Although I like this idea, this projection for a 2018 team isn’t much better than what the Cubs rolled out in 2017 (if not worse), which wasn’t good enough. As much as I hated Arrieta, I would rather have him over Cobb as the 4th starter in the postseason. You lose Davis for Morrow, and if he gets hurt, then the back end of the bullpen now looks like a liability. The offense and defense doesn’t change at all, so you’re hoping for positive regression there, which isn’t guaranteed. This team could probably make the postseason, but can’t beat LA or Houston, and that’s not good enough for Theo Epstein.

        Reply
        • ABCD

          8 years ago

          Make the postseason and the postseason can be won. Just gotta be hot when the time comes.

          1
          Reply
      • larry48

        8 years ago

        Morrow want to go back to LA

        Reply
    • jasonpen

      8 years ago

      No Lynn. Guy is garbage.

      1
      Reply
      • cards81

        8 years ago

        lol really…explain this reasoning

        3
        Reply
        • hi_guys

          8 years ago

          As a cardinals fan, this past year he didn’t look quite as good as the numbers suggest. And advanced metrics seem to agree with that as well. He could be great, he has been pre TJS, but he could also flop. It’s impossible to tell at this point though

          1
          Reply
      • wrigleywannabe

        8 years ago

        By that logic, 3/4 of the league is garbage.

        Reply
    • Travis’ Wood

      8 years ago

      You want the Cubs to sign 5 of the top free agent arms available? Are you high?

      2
      Reply
      • Ry.the.Stunner

        8 years ago

        5 of the top how many? Darvish and Arrieta are #1 and #2 respectively on most lists, so I’m not sure where you got Top 5 from.

        1
        Reply
      • impapad17

        8 years ago

        He said a #5 starter… not 5 starters.

        Reply
        • Cubbie75

          8 years ago

          he said sign 5 of the top free agent arms available. nothing about starters in his comment.

          Reply
  2. Abi'l-Khayr

    8 years ago

    What? Bryan Shaw isn’t at the top of their list?

    Reply
  3. WalkersDayOff

    8 years ago

    Its not like the young controlled players they traded for rentals hurt. Soler is terrible and without Chapman they get eliminated in the NLCS possibly even the Giants could have beat them.

    2
    Reply
  4. zippytms

    8 years ago

    Surprised to see that Brad Hand isn’t mentioned in this article.

    Reply
    • Priggs89

      8 years ago

      Based on the presumed asking price and number of teams that will be involved, the Cubs would have to subtract from their major league roster to make that deal. I don’t see that happening for a relief pitcher.

      Reply
  5. mike127

    8 years ago

    The glaring omission to me on this list is Jake McGee. Long time ties to the manager/coach, bounced back well last season, Under the radar to most, Brian Duensing had the best year in the pen outside of Wade Davis. He needs to be replaced (or re-signed). There also is the possibility that Montgomery jumps into the fifth spot of the rotation. I think McGee is a no brainer for the Cubs.

    Reply
    • egrossen

      8 years ago

      I️ like the idea of McGee as well.

      Reply
  6. egrossen

    8 years ago

    Sign Marrow and Reed for the pen. Sign Cobb (if not Arrieta) and maybe Lackey (or Tyler Chatwood) for 4 & 5 spots in rotation.

    Lester
    Hendricks
    Quintana
    Cobb
    Lackey/Chatwood

    Marrow
    Reed
    Edwards
    Strop
    Montgomery
    Wilson
    Rondon/Grimm

    Reply
  7. AR

    8 years ago

    What about Mike Minor? Ideally, I’d love to see the Cubs go for Cobb, Chatwood, Reed and Minor. A stretch, but Cain would look good leading off and playing CF

    Reply
    • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

      8 years ago

      I wouldnt mins cain myself. It would have to be like a 4 or 5 year deal and Schwarber would need to be traded.

      Reply
    • ABCD

      8 years ago

      I like the pitching, but it’s time for Almora.

      Reply
      • wrigleywannabe

        8 years ago

        Not until he gets on base against RHP.

        Whoever plays CF needs to be able to lead off. Almora can’t do that, yet. At worst, he needs someone to play against the upper level RHP, while he improves.

        Reply
    • Jbigz12

      8 years ago

      Chatwood hype train is out in full effect this offseason. I feel like if he isn’t a 4 era pitcher next year a whole bunch of people around here are going to be besides themself. He has to throw some strikes too. Groundballs are great but he hasn’t proved to be a strike thrower. I mean the rox put this guy in their bullpen last year.

      Reply
  8. Logjammer D"Baggagecling

    8 years ago

    Davis
    Reed
    McGee
    Cobb
    Lynn
    Trade for Travis Wood. It wouldn’t cost much maybe a cash deal.
    Flip Wilson unless they can fix his control issues. I’d love Cobb and Arrieta. Have a feeling Jake is gonna go home to Texas. Whether it’s the Astros or Rangers I’m not sure yet. Yu Darvish will go to a sleeper team.

    Reply
    • egrossen

      8 years ago

      If you thought Justin Wilson was bad last season, why in the world you want a Travis Wood back? Wood was terrible.

      Reply
      • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

        8 years ago

        Because he was loved by his team mates and fans. He can start , long relief, play left field. And if he’s bad again they could DFA him. Cheap for 2 more years.

        Reply
        • wrigleywannabe

          8 years ago

          And just throw money down the drain. that could be used on someone else.

          Reply
        • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

          8 years ago

          They have plenty of money. In 2 years Kris Bryant will get his much earned raise. And get that 280-300mil contract.

          Reply
    • wrigleywannabe

      8 years ago

      I simply do not see them getting them all. I think Wade has a shot to come back and I think Cobb looks like he is coming to Chicago.

      I really don’t see Reed and McGee both going to the same team., either.

      Cobb should be the first guy to ink a deal. What they pay him will have some impact on how they approach the other holes.

      Reply
  9. wrigleywannabe

    8 years ago

    To translate: It is going to take a whopper of an offer, centered around a mutli year guy, to get one of the core players traded and the Cubs are not making that deal for a reliever.

    Reply
  10. Djones246890

    8 years ago

    The Cubs honestly need to stop this Podunk Bumf*%k, Nowheresville, approach in free agency.

    I understand that consistently overpaying for guys isn’t a good strategy. However, they have a window with their core group, and they absolutely NEED to basically gut that atrocious bullpen (aside from Davis), and sign some high quality guys.

    As of right now, with the window being what it is, you might have to overpay a little. The Cubs are in a huge market in Chicago. They aren’t broke. Enough with the games. Pay for some talent, Ricketts.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

    Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib

    Tucker Barnhart To Retire

    Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline

    Reds Release Jeimer Candelario

    Dave Parker Passes Away

    Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles

    Pirates Reportedly Have Very Few Untouchable Players At Trade Deadline

    Griffin Canning Believed To Have Suffered Achilles Injury

    Mariners Looking For Corner Infield Bats; Ownership Willing To Bump Payroll

    Wander Franco Found Guilty Of Sexual Abuse

    Mariners Place Rowdy Tellez On Release Waivers

    Max Meyer To Undergo Season-Ending Hip Surgery

    Whit Merrifield Announces Retirement

    White Sox Sign Noah Syndergaard To Minor League Deal

    Corbin Carroll Placed On IL With Wrist Fracture

    Hoops Rumors Has The Latest On NBA Draft, Free Agency

    Mets Option Francisco Alvarez

    Reds To Promote Chase Burns For MLB Debut

    Recent

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Mets Trade Donovan Walton To Phillies

    Colin Poche Elects Free Agency

    Trey Mancini Opts Out Of D-Backs Deal

    Padres To Select Eduarniel Nunez

    Brewers’ Connor Thomas To Undergo Elbow Surgery

    Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

    Jorge Mateo To Miss 8 To 12 Weeks With Hamstring Strain

    Reds To Sign Buck Farmer To Minor League Deal

    Pirates Trade Hunter Stratton To Braves

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version