Chicago Cubs: Under the radar options for closer in 2018

If the Chicago Cubs do not sign one of the two biggest free agent relievers this winter in Greg Holland or Wade Davis, who will they turn to in 2018?

Wade Davis was lights-out for the Chicago Cubs in 2017. The 31-year-old who came over from the Kansas City Royals in the Jorge Soler trade logged 32 saves for the North Siders last season. In addition to that, the right-hander struck out 79 batters in 58 2/3 innings or 12.1 per nine innings.

After posting an All-Star caliber season, Davis hit the open market this winter. With multiple seasons of jaw-dropping numbers under his belt, Davis is set to make more than the $10 million he earned in 2017. For that reason, the Cubs may not be the best option for the now 32-year-old.

Greg Holland, just like Davis, is coming off a very solid season in which he did not make much money. With a base salary of $6 million and $7 million worth of incentives, Holland made $13 million closing games for the Colorado Rockies in 2017.

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At 31, Holland appeared in 61 games and and logged 57 1/3 innings pitched. In that time, Holland struck out 70 batters and recorded 41 saves.

Because of his stellar season, Holland declined an option with the Rockies and decided to test the free agent market.

Now, two pitchers with a combined 73 saves last season are free agents. As things stand right now, the Cubs do not seem to be close to a deal with either. In fact, it has been reported that a deal between Holland and the Rockies could take place soon.

With less-than-stellar chances to sign either of the two biggest arms this winter, the Cubs may have to turn to other options to fill the closer’s role in 2018. Don’t worry Cubs fans, there are some solid options.

Brandon Morrow, RHP

Let’s start with the most obvious choice right now, right-hander Brandon Morrow. Morrow was just signed by the Cubs for $21 million over the next two seasons. The deal also includes an option for a third year that would take Morrow into his age 36 season.

Morrow has been in the majors since the 2007 season when he appeared in 60 games for the Seattle Mariners. The 33-year-old has bounced back and forth between the bullpen and starting rotation throughout his career. From 2010 to 2013, when healthy, Morrow was solely a starter before moving exclusively to the bullpen in 2016 with the Padres.

After battling injuries that limited him to just 136 2/3 innings pitched from 2013 to 2016, Morrow logged 43 2/3 innings in 45 appearances for the Dodgers in 2017. Over those innings, Morrow amassed a 2.06 ERA and went a perfect 6-0. In addition to that, the right-hander struck out 50 batters and recorded a WHIP of 0.916. Most surprisingly, Morrow failed to allow a home run during the regular season.

Morrow was up and down in the postseason

Morrow appeared in his first postseason in 2017. That fact did not phase him much through the first two rounds. In the NLDS against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Morrow allowed one earned run over 3 2/3 innings pitched for a 2.45 ERA. Following that series, Morrow appeared in four NLCS games against the Cubs, amassing 4 2/3 innings pitched. In that time, Morrow struck out seven batters and allowed just one hit.

During the World Series, however, the wheels came off. Morrow worked in all seven games, logging 5 1/3 innings. In that time, Morrow served up two home runs and allowed five earned runs and eight hits.

Chances to be Cubs’ closer

Brandon Morrow is kind of like the Cubs’ fall-back option if they fail to sign Wade Davis or Greg Holland. Cubs’ president Theo Epstein had this to say about the situation:

“I think we’re pretty close to signing somebody that certainly we’d be comfortable closing games. He is the type of team player that would be willing to take any role, depending on what the rest of the personnel looks like.”

That certainly does not rule out another option in the closer’s role, but it suggests that Morrow likely has the confidence of the Cubs’ front office in that role despite having only 18 career saves.

Carl Edwards, RHP

Perhaps the best option for the closer’s role prior to the signing of Morrow was Carl Edwards. Edwards is 26 years old and has just 114 major league appearances under his belt.

After grabbing a short cup of coffee with the team in 2015, Edwards made 36 appearances out of the bullpen in 2016. The right-hander logged a 3.75 ERA and struck out 52 batters in 36 innings pitched.

Following the signing of Davis, Edwards was slated to become the team’s set-up man. Over the course of the season, however, Edwards became Joe Maddon‘s go-to option out of the pen. For that reason, Edwards racked up 73 appearances and 66 1/3 innings pitched. In that time, Edwards struck out 94 batters and walked 38. That equates to more than five walks per nine innings and 12.8 strikeouts per nine.

Horrible postseason for Edwards

Edwards did not fare well during the 2017 postseason. In the NLDS against the Washington Nationals, Edwards was tagged for six earned runs over 2 1/3 innings pitched. The right-hander also walked four batters and amassed a 23.14 ERA.

Despite Edwards’ rough series, the Cubs defeated the Nationals and advanced to the NLCS. Facing the Los Angeles Dodgers, Edwards made two appearances and logged 2 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball. The youngster, however did walk two of the nine batters he faced.

Chances to be Cubs’ closer

As things stand right now, Edwards could very well start the season as the Cubs’ set-up man with Morrow or Cishek as the closer. If things do not work out with either of them, it would not be unexpected to see Edwards step in and assume the role.

One thing that scares me about Edwards is the walks. He has walked 55 batters in 107 career innings and averages almost five free passes per nine innings.

Barring an injury or under-performance by Morrow or Cishek, Edwards will not see much action as the closer in 2018. Instead, he seems likely to stay in the role of Maddon’s go-to guy as early as the sixth inning, so expect Edwards to rack up the appearances once again in 2018.

Steve Cishek, RHP

Cishek, 31, was just signed to a two-year deal by the Cubs on Thursday. The right-hander split the 2017 season between the Mariners and Rays, racking up 49 appearances and 44 2/3 innings pitched. In that time, Cishek yielded just ten earned runs and struck out 41 batters on route to a 2.01 ERA.

During the 2016 season, Cishek appeared in 62 games for the Mariners. Cishek amassed 64 innings pitched and recorded 25 saves in 32 opportunities. The right-hander also struck out 76 batters and averaged 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

Experience as a closer

Before the 2016 season, Cishek was the full-time closer for the Marlins in 2013 and 2014. Over those two seasons, Cishek racked up 73 saves in 79 chances for a conversion rate of 92.4 percent.

Overall, Cishek has 121 career saves and a 2.73 career ERA.

Chances to be Cubs’ closer

Now that both Morrow and Cishek are on the Cubs; roster, it will be interesting to see which one gets the job. Cishek is the most experienced option and is tough to hit because of his side-arm motion.

Cishek comes cheaper than Morrow. Both pitchers signed a two-year pact, but Cishek’s value is around $7 million per season, making a two-year deal worth about $14 million.

Addison Reed, RHP

Right-hander Addison Reed is probably the third-best reliever available this offseason. Reed, who will turn 29 this month, split time between the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox in 2017.

A year after posting a 1.97 ERA over 77 2/3 innings, Reed was impressive again. In 77 appearances between his two clubs, Reed amassed a 2.84 ERA and struck out 76 batters in 76 innings pitched.

From 2015 to 2017, Reed has been one of the best relievers in the game. Over those three years, Reed has made 212 appearances, logging 209 2/3 innings pitched. In that time between the Diamondbacks, Mets and Red Sox, Reed recorded a 2.66 ERA and averaged 9.4 strikeouts per nine while walking just two batters per nine.

Closing and postseason experience

Reed has racked up 125 career saves. The majority of those came from the 2012, 2013 and 2014 seasons when Reed was closing games for the White Sox and Diamondbacks. Nevertheless, Reed logged 19 saves in 21 chances for the Mets in 2017, proving he still has what it takes to hold down the role.

In addition to his experience in the closer’s role, Reed also has a fair amount of postseason experience. From 2015 to 2017, Reed has logged 10 1/3 postseason innings. In that time, Reed has allowed ten hits and seven earned for an ERA north of six.

Chances to be Cubs’ closer

There is no doubt that Reed’s value is high right now. Between the success Reed has had over the last few seasons and the demand for good relievers, Reed should get a nice deal this winter.

Spotrac.com suggests that Reed is worth about $8.9 million per year. The site also suggests that Reed will get a four-year deal, making the contract worth about $35.7 million. That would save the Cubs around $6 million a year compared to the $14.9 million Wade Davis is projected to get per year.

Overall, I think Reed would be a cheaper option than Holland or Davis. However, Reed may command a four-year deal whereas Davis and Holland would likely seek a three-year deal. Still, if the fit is right, the Cubs need to pursue Reed and have him close games on the North Side.