Headlines

  • Royals Re-Sign Zack Greinke
  • Dodgers Sign Miguel Rojas To Contract Extension
  • Jake McGee Retires
  • Orioles To Decline Five-Year Lease Extension At Camden Yards, Seeking Longer-Term Agreement With Maryland Stadium Authority
  • Mariners, Dylan Moore Agree to Three-Year Extension
  • Blue Jays Sign Chad Green
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • 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
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration 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

Cubs To Re-Sign Brandon Morrow

By Jeff Todd | December 13, 2019 at 4:05pm CDT

The Cubs have struck a deal to bring back veteran reliever Brandon Morrow, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter). It’s a minor-league pact.

If Morrow can finally recover from longstanding arm issues, he’ll still need to earn his way onto the MLB roster. Should that come to pass, he’ll be paid at a $1MM rate with $1.25MM in potential incentive pay.

The sides have been working out a deal ever since the club paid him a $3MM buyout rather than exercising a $12MM option for the 2020 campaign. Morrow gave the Cubs 30 2/3 lights-out innings in 2018 before cascading injuries doomed the remainder of the two-year deal he signed to join the team in the prior offseason.

Now, there’s a chance at some redemption for both player and team. Both sides worked hard to get Morrow back to the mound to no avail. But the Cubs obviously still see some hope for the 35-year-old hurler.

Share 0 Retweet 6 Send via email0

Chicago Cubs Transactions Brandon Morrow

Yu Darvish Reportedly Has “No Intention” Of Waiving No-Trade Protection
Main
Braves Re-Sign Charlie Culberson
View Comments (86)

Comments

  1. garretts121

    3 years ago

    Good move for a good price hopefully he can pitch this year

    Reply
  2. TexasLeager

    3 years ago

    No brainer. Cubs could turn a weakness into a strength next season.

    Reply
    • theoepsteinhof

      3 years ago

      Weakness? Their pen had the 4th best era in the league last year.

      Reply
      • TexasLeager

        3 years ago

        Outta 57 save opportunities, cubs only converted 31 of those chances. That’s 57% and last in the MLB. Yes. It was a weakness.

        Reply
        • anthonyd4412

          3 years ago

          Yep

        • ChiSox_Fan

          3 years ago

          Yep, Cubs bullpen part of the choke down the stretch.

        • i hate my father

          3 years ago

          Yep! If they were at league average they probaly win the division.

        • Eatdust666

          3 years ago

          Yes, their bullpen, led by their in season “big free agent signing” Craig Kimbrel spearheaded the biggest Cubs regular season choke since 1969.

        • Wrek305

          3 years ago

          And their downfall was when they were swept by philly

        • wordonthestreet

          3 years ago

          You are right. They choked

      • ChiSoxCity

        3 years ago

        See how delusional cubs fans are? They cherry-pick stats to prop their sad sack late reliever corp up. Anybody who watches the games can clearly see it’s a big reason why they couldn’t win games on the road or close out games with a lead.

        Reply
        • KJ0911

          3 years ago

          See how sad White Sox fans are, they comment on every Cubs article there is.

        • rnz269

          3 years ago

          @ChiSoxCity is probably just bummed over ZIPS 78 win projections for next year’s Sox.

        • Android Dawesome

          3 years ago

          I still suspect that ChiSoxCity is William Ligue

        • iml12

          3 years ago

          Hmm… The cherry pick comment sounds familiar. Like I just made it to you 35 minutes ago with your nonsense Quintana stat. On yet another article about the cubs.

        • Mikel Grady

          3 years ago

          It’s Hawk Harrelson

        • johnrealtime

          3 years ago

          One cub fan, who was quickly corrected by several cub fans

          The pen was bad this year, really hoping that Kimbrel was held back by the late start but I’m not holding my breath

        • bandude

          3 years ago

          See how desperate White Sox fans are? In order to make themselves feel better about what a mess their own organization is, they troll the Cubs.

        • wordonthestreet

          3 years ago

          Hilarious

        • wordonthestreet

          3 years ago

          Oh it must be Cubs fans who are delusional not any other fan base just the Cubs per William..ChiSox City…

      • Teufelshunde4

        3 years ago

        ERA isnt the best way to judge a bullpen

        Reply
        • Wickedmage

          3 years ago

          Yes sir. The ERA of the Bullpen didnt reflect the inherited runners

      • bravesfan88

        3 years ago

        @theoepsteinhof …ERA is just not a very good indicator for the success or failure of a bullpen…There are several other factors to consider that paint a much clearer picture of how well, or how poorly, a bullpen performed.

        Just for example, let’s say with two outs, in the 7th Inning, and runners on 1st and 2nd Morrow comes in for Lester. Morrow could give up two hits, allow both runners to score, and then retire the next batter to end the inning.

        Morrow would walk out of that situation with a 0.00 ERA, and comes out looking like he did a good job; however, he would even say he dropped the ball, and simply just did not do his job. Morrow allowed the two hits, and he allowed those inherited runners to score. This is just a quick example, but it is why you have to factor in multiple advanced stats to get the real understanding of how a bullpen is performing..

        I’m not trying to be sarcastic or be a d-bag or anything like that. I used to think the same thing, but someone told me the same thing, and it ultimately helped me out. I hope this helps you like it did me…

        Reply
        • bravesfan88

          3 years ago

          A really good advanced stat to measure a relief pitcher individually is the RE24 stat. Another important stat to consider is LOB%. You can also use WAR, BB%, BAA, K%, and to a certain degree FIP can give you a moderate insight to how a pitcher is performing. FIP stands for fielding independent pitching. It is like ERA, but it takes into consideration Ks, walks, hit batters, and HRs allowed, but on balls put into play, it compares it to the leagues average results.

          Like I mentioned before, you have to take a few things into consideration when judging a relief pitcher. Judging future success is a good bit more difficult, because relief pitchers are so volatile and unpredictable, but xFIP is a decent indicator of future success for a pitcher in general.

          Hope this helps anyone reading, and if you guys have any other stats that should be considered when judging a relief pitcher, please feel free to add whatever I might have missed..

        • kyleschwarbersmom

          3 years ago

          WPA is a good stat for relievers especially for high leverage appearances.

      • Robert

        3 years ago

        Cherry-picking one stat doesnt make the Cubs pen any better. Watch the games. Bullpen was a MAJOR issue all season. When Kyle Ryan and Rowan Wick are your most trusted relievers, you have issues.

        Reply
    • tycobb016

      3 years ago

      Theo can’t let go. Morrow must owe Theo money, maybe lost a bet. The guy stinks now. Next in line please step up. Flubs are funny this offseason.

      Reply
      • ChiSoxCity

        3 years ago

        Morrow must have gave Theo the secret squirrel handshake.

        Reply
        • Erik

          3 years ago

          Our ring is newer than your ring

        • ChiSoxCity

          3 years ago

          It took you 108 years to get your ring.

        • johnrealtime

          3 years ago

          What was it 86 years for the white sox? Glass houses

        • ChiSoxCity

          3 years ago

          Wouldn’t that apply to Erik bringing it up in the first place?

        • chicagofan1978

          3 years ago

          Jesus are you guys really gonna compete those two rings in over a century?

      • VampWeekAtBern

        3 years ago

        It has been reported by Morrow’s agent that Morrow felt an obligation to make good on the contract he signed with the Cubs that paid him 21M to pitch 30.2 innings.

        Reply
        • Phiilies2020

          3 years ago

          I think because they were already 3 million dollars in on him from the buyout they made it a priority to resign him

      • johnrealtime

        3 years ago

        This is a minor league contract. Literally any team in the league would likely love to have this non guaranteed deal for a player that is exceptional when able to play

        Reply
      • Robert

        3 years ago

        Actually, Morrow is quite good when he’s on the mound. The problem is, the guy is made of glass and styrofoam and cant stay healthy for 5 minutes. For most teams this would be great low risk, potentially high reward deal, but for a suddenly broke, zero-spending ballclub, even $1M seems like a waste on Glass Joe (especially on top of his $3M buyout).

        Reply
  3. cubfanforever

    3 years ago

    Chump change, worth the risk.

    Reply
    • ChiSoxCity

      3 years ago

      Oh it’s chump change alright.

      Reply
  4. david722

    3 years ago

    Speaking not as a Cubs fan, this makes me happy.

    Reply
    • kyleschwarbersmom

      3 years ago

      And again the salty Dodger Dog who thinks Yu Darvish is mentally weak is probably blaming Morrow for blowing a save in Game 5 when he was clearly gassed.

      Reply
      • TexasLeager

        3 years ago

        So true… watching Dave Roberts pull a Dusty Baker each postseason is fun to watch.

        Reply
      • david722

        3 years ago

        Darvish is mentally weak. No opinion about Morrow being gassed. Apparently you are in the know.

        Reply
        • Teufelshunde4

          3 years ago

          Sorry but no MLB level player is mentally weak.. It takes more then just talent to compete at the highest level.

        • ChiSoxCity

          3 years ago

          lol

  5. iml12

    3 years ago

    Love this move. Nothing but upside

    Reply
  6. joparx

    3 years ago

    Zero risk, possibly rewarding possibly forgotten about, smart move

    Reply
  7. theoepsteinhof

    3 years ago

    With the weight of a big contract now removed, watch Morrow return to dominating form!
    Jk, but sometimes it works that way.

    Reply
  8. kyleschwarbersmom

    3 years ago

    Thanks for the make good, Brandon. Stay healthy!

    Reply
    • ChiSoxCity

      3 years ago

      Make good. a hahaha

      Reply
  9. holycow16

    3 years ago

    Potentially the best million spent.

    Reply
    • ChiSoxCity

      3 years ago

      Good depth signing!

      Reply
  10. Dorothy_Mantooth

    3 years ago

    Damn, was hoping the Red Sox would have given him a $2M flier contract. If he’s healthy (and that’s a big if), he is as nasty as they come.

    Reply
    • i hate my father

      3 years ago

      Nobody should give that dude a major league contract, his agent already said Cubs will be first in line on minor league deals if a major league deal is not out there which obviously there was not and should not have been.

      The odds Morrow pitching next season is still very low, but just in case he does great.

      Reply
  11. ChiSoxCity

    3 years ago

    Championship.

    Reply
  12. chitown311

    3 years ago

    Good low-risk/high ceiling signing!

    Reply
  13. chitown311

    3 years ago

    Great depth move!

    Reply
  14. chitown311

    3 years ago

    Great addition to the core!

    Reply
  15. chitown311

    3 years ago

    Cubs print money!

    Reply
    • CrewBrew

      3 years ago

      Phillies print stupid money.

      Reply
      • ChiSoxCity

        3 years ago

        Stupid Phillies print money.

        Fixed.

        Reply
  16. chitown311

    3 years ago

    Solid depth piece!

    Reply
  17. chitown311

    3 years ago

    Kyle Schwarber is good on defense!

    Reply
    • kyleschwarbersmom

      3 years ago

      Better than Eloy and Soler.

      Reply
      • tycobb016

        3 years ago

        Throw all the money at Baez before somebody good gets it.

        Reply
  18. Rayland#1

    3 years ago

    This offseason continues to look more and more like last offseason.

    Reply
  19. bigbadjohnny

    3 years ago

    just stay healthy !

    Reply
  20. tigerbreak

    3 years ago

    Solid move. Hopefully he can build back up and be a solid piece for us this year; and build some value for his next deal.

    Reply
    • david722

      3 years ago

      Hopefully anything related to the Ricketts dies on the vine.

      Reply
      • kyleschwarbersmom

        3 years ago

        Hopefully you come down with a case of rickets.

        Reply
  21. marrtho

    3 years ago

    People forget he is a type-1 diabetic. Injuries last longer and are harder to bounce back from. I’m a Brewer fan and type-1 diabetic and hope he comes back and has a great year.

    Reply
  22. kyleschwarbersmom

    3 years ago

    Chisoxfan, Chisoxcity, Chitown311, and TyCobb016 are all here. Everybody close your eyes and wear your protective clothing because they’re circle jerking.

    Reply
    • david722

      3 years ago

      Are you really this stupid? Please don’t breed.

      Reply
      • ChiSoxCity

        3 years ago

        lolol

        Reply
      • johnrealtime

        3 years ago

        lol he’s stupid for making fun of all the cub trolls? I don’t get it

        Reply
  23. BotesBoat

    3 years ago

    People will complain, but this is a great signing. Low risk, gigantic reward (provided he is healthy). Definitely rooting for him to make the team

    Reply
  24. chicagofan1978

    3 years ago

    Can someone please ban chitown311? And while they are at it themed too. They literally don’t have anything to add to any conversation on any post other than the teams they don’t like . I’m not even a Cub fan and they annoy the hell out of me and are basically useless

    Reply
    • paindonthurt

      3 years ago

      ChiSoxCity as well.

      Reply
  25. earmbrister

    3 years ago

    This move makes sense. That’s coming from a Reds’ fan.

    Reply
  26. Mikel Grady

    3 years ago

    It would be nice if he gets comeback player of the year. Seems to be a class act .

    Reply
  27. bobtillman

    3 years ago

    He’s always been a thinking man’s pitcher. 35’s not that old. Definitely worth a shot.

    Reply
  28. chicagofan1978

    3 years ago

    This whole comment section is a cluster yuck

    Reply
  29. megaj

    3 years ago

    Sign Will Harris and the bullpen is done. Kimbrel, Wieck, Wick, Ryan, Aldzolay, Chatwood, Morrow, and Harris. If all pitch to their potential, then that would be a VERY good bullpen.

    Reply
    • chitown311

      3 years ago

      You’re right. That bullpen IS done

      Reply
  30. wb3cubs

    3 years ago

    He’s terrible!! Yes he’s been hurt, and he has been since the Dodgers let him walk! He’ll pitch a few games and be out again …. what a waste of time and money

    Reply
  31. loota.

    3 years ago

    So far the Cubs have paid Brandon Morrow $21MM for 35 Major League appearances, or $600k per appearance.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Royals Re-Sign Zack Greinke

    Dodgers Sign Miguel Rojas To Contract Extension

    Jake McGee Retires

    Orioles To Decline Five-Year Lease Extension At Camden Yards, Seeking Longer-Term Agreement With Maryland Stadium Authority

    Mariners, Dylan Moore Agree to Three-Year Extension

    Blue Jays Sign Chad Green

    Rays Extend Yandy Diaz

    Dexter Fowler Announces Retirement

    Mets Sign Jeff McNeil To Four-Year Extension

    Red Sox, Marlins Swap Matt Barnes For Richard Bleier

    Darren O’Day Announces Retirement

    Braves Extend Manager Brian Snitker Through 2025

    Rays Sign Pete Fairbanks To Extension

    Royals Sign Aroldis Chapman To One-Year Deal

    Athletics Sign Jesús Aguilar

    Orioles Acquire Cole Irvin From A’s

    Astros Name Dana Brown General Manager

    Rays Extend Jeffrey Springs

    Royals, Red Sox Swap Adalberto Mondesi For Josh Taylor

    Red Sox Designate Matt Barnes For Assignment

    Recent

    Astros, Kyle Tucker Have Discussed Extension

    Astros Sign Bryan Garcia To Minor League Deal

    Extension Candidate: Pete Alonso

    The White Sox’ Right Field Options

    Phillies To Sign Kyle Hart To Minor League Deal

    MLBTR Chat Transcript

    Guardians, Phillip Diehl Agree To Minor League Contract

    The Opener: Arbitration Hearings, 1B Market, MLBTR Chat

    Ronald Guzmán Attempting To Become Two-Way Player

    Mike Montgomery Signs With Mexican League’s Acereros De Monclova

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

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Offseason Outlook Series
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • MLB Player Chats
    • 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

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • 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

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version