Chicago Cubs: Pedro Strop should get the chance to be the closer

Chicago Cubs: Morrow doesn’t have what it takes anymore

Last offseason, the Cubs brought Morrow in to take over for Wade Davis as their closer. They knew it would be a high-risk, high-reward kind of deal when they signed him, due to Morrow’s inability to stay healthy.

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Initially, the right-hander came in and performed exactly like the Cubs hoped he would. He locked down 22 saves and had an ERA of just 1.47. However, injuries caught up with Morrow and he landed on the disabled list on two separate occasions. His second stint on the DL in mid-July sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

Frankly, Morrow is not cut out to be a closer. He doesn’t have the ability to pitch in three consecutive games or even sometimes two games in a row if the Cubs need him to. He needs more rest than Joe Maddon is able to give him which is why he is better served as a setup man.

Before joining the Cubs, Morrow served as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ setup man and was lights-out. In 2017 Morrow appeared in 45 games and pitched 43 2/3 innings to go along with a 2.06 ERA.

The Cubs got their best look at Morrow in the NLCS in 2017 when Morrow gave up just one hit and one walk in 4 2/3 innings against them. He surrendered no runs and struck out seven batters in the four games he faced the Cubs.