Cubs Nearing a Deal with a Stud Reliever?
The Chicago Cubs have a glaring hole in their bullpen. A guy that can come in, and even when he doesn’t have his best stuff, can blow by hitters with just a fastball.
It is my belief that all successful teams need this type of guy. Someone that will get outs just by having an insane fastball. We saw how Aroldis Chapman could get outs with just a fastball, even when his control wasn’t there. We saw Kenley Jansen blow by Cubs hitters, with a lack of control and an electric fastball.
Whether it is being effectively wild, or just dominating hitters, the fastball will always be king in this game.
This is why I’m excited the Cubs are moving along in some talks with former Los Angeles Dodgers reliever, Brandon Morrow. Here is a guy that can slang balls at over 100 MPH, and showed a great deal of versatility, being the first pitcher in history to pitch in every game of a seven game World Series.
Those talks have gone so far that the Cubs are asking Brandon to see a doc for a physical, something that’s usually delayed until after terms have been agreed upon.
Hearing the #Cubs may have a physical set-up for FA arm Brandon Morrow. Doing their due diligence. #HotStove
— Charles the Cat™ (@CharlsMeow) November 16, 2017
Now, I love that the Cubs would ask Brandon to take a physical upfront. The Cubs saw first hand how much a seven game World Series effected their own pitchers. Velocity was down through much of the year, and the entire staff got hit at a much higher and harder clip than they did the year before.
If Brandon accepts, which usually an agent would suggest otherwise, you could expect to see the Cubs swoop in and sign him to a two-year deal. What is also interesting, this could be the Cubs closer in 2018 and 19.
