Cubs Rumors: Team would need to move cash for a mid-tier reliever?

If the latest Cubs rumors are to be believed, the team would need to move money off the payroll to even afford a middle-tier reliever piece this offseason.

You know what we didn’t need on this particular Monday morning? Yet more Cubs rumors, this time from a big-time industry insider indicating the team isn’t just trying to be smart financially – but are financially handicapped when it comes to making any additions via free agency this offseason.

But that’s exactly what we got in the form of Ken Rosenthal’s latest piece (sub required).

… the Cubs would need to clear money to sign even a modestly priced reliever such as free-agent righty Adam Warren, according to major-league sources.

That just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Now I’ve known – well, maybe know is too strong a term – I’ve felt that Chicago is a long-shot for the likes of Bryce Harper or Manny Machado because of their inherent financial implications. And, as a fan, I could accept that without issue – because we’re talking about generational talents who will likely command generational contracts.

But when you’re telling me the Cubs didn’t bring back Jesse Chavez because they didn’t have the financial muscle to do so? That, to me, is simply unacceptable. (And, for the record, I felt the Cubs were right in not bringing him back – I found it hard to believe he’d put up the same kind of dominant numbers again in 2018).

With five weeks till pitchers and catchers report, the Chicago Cubs have more than one question mark – namely shoring up a relief corps that needs reinforcements and, if nothing else, a shutdown left-handed option.

Chicago Cubs: Team has nothing but a question mark in the ninth

Technically, Brandon Morrow holds the ninth-inning duties for the Chicago Cubs heading into next season. The only problem? The oft-injured right-hander is just that – injured.

Early reports indicate Morrow could miss the first month or more as he rehabs from offseason right elbow surgery, once again leaving Joe Maddon‘s club without a closer. When he’s healthy, Morrow represents one of the better shutdown arms in baseball. The problem, though, is that he’s rarely healthy over the course of an entire season.

Since 2012, he’s made more than 30 appearances two times – back in 2017 as the Los Angeles’ Dodgers late-inning fireman ahead of closer Kenley Jansen and last year with the Cubs. Chicago picked him up that offseason, handing him the ninth-inning job heading into 2018.

He was lights-out, pitching to a 1.47 ERA, 295 ERA+ and 1.076 WHIP for the North Siders before once again falling victim to the injury bug and missing the entire second half. So, while he’s definitely got the stuff – he’s about as far from a sure thing as possible when it comes to health.

Chicago Cubs: Not addressing the bullpen would be nothing short of negligent

This is supposed to be the peak of the Cubs’ current championship window. In Major League Baseball, such windows rarely last longer than five or so years – and we’re now entering year four (or five) – depending on how you’re counting.

They shelled out $20 million to keep Cole Hamels in the fold – rounding out one of the priciest starting rotations in all of Major League Baseball. With Javier Baez, Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant at the heart of the order, the offense has enough firepower (when its on-point) to blow away the competition. Sure, there are question marks after last year’s second half cold spell, but the talent is undoubtedly there.

The same cannot be said for the relief corps, despite the strong efforts of guys like Steve Cishek and Pedro Strop. With the likes of Duensing, an injured-more-than-not Morrow, Tyler Chatwood, Carl Edwards Jr. and Brandon Kintzler rounding out the cast – Theo Epstein, Tom Ricketts and anyone who has a say in how this offseason plays out – would be doing this franchise a disservice in not making something happen.

I’m not saying that it’s that simple – it’s not. I’m sure Epstein would love a $400 million payroll. But that’s not how things work. But this current construction of the Chicago Cubs is unlikely to attain its pre-stated goal: win another World Series – and you can’t accept that without shoring up this team’s most glaring weakness this offseason.