NEWSLETTER
Despite the frequently-espoused optimism from the organization and Brandon Morrow, you never got the sense that any of them were confident the former Cubs closer would actually return this year. And, for fans, once Morrow had a setback in his initial ramp-up this year, I think we all pretty much took the position that any impact this year was highly unlikely, but sure would be fun if it happened.
It isn’t happening.
https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1164294223337836545
What the future holds for the righty remains to be seen, with the Cubs or otherwise. The team will pay him $3 million to buy out his 2020 option, and he’ll be an oft-injured 35-year-old free agent who hasn’t pitched at any level since mid-2018. I have no doubt he’ll have his choice of suitors on a minor league deal, but it’s fair to ask if he’ll want to go down that road again after coming back from so many injuries over the years, and then missing a year and a half of action with various arm issues and multiple procedures.
It’s at least conceivable that, if he wants to keep going, his preference will be to stay in the Cubs org (and vice versa), but even if that happens, he is a minor league deal flyer at this point. Wish him the best, but history is not on his side.
As for the signing, unfortunately, it came with a whole lot of risk, and that precise risk manifested itself. Two years in a row, Brandon Morrow is “out for the season.” This year, he didn’t pitch at all. Bummer.
