Chicago Cubs: With a deep bullpen, who will be the closer?

Since 2016, it seems there has not been one single, dominant, closer for the Chicago Cubs. Luckily, with different acquisitions over the past two years, there looks to be multiple options to lock down the closer job.

The options that the Chicago Cubs have lined up thus far are Pedro Strop, Steve Cishek, CJ Edwards, Brad Brach, and once healthy, Brandon Morrow. Throughout 2018, Strop was mainly the closer compiling 13 saves in the absence of Morrow with others filling in here and there. Unfortunately, the Cubs may be starting the season without the top two options in Stop and Morrow.

Since Spring Training has started, Strop has been injured with a hamstring injury that has shut him down briefly. This should turn to be a promising option in place of Morrow with Strop handling the role well in 2018. Fortunately, the Strop injury should not sideline him for too long and is in the plans from Joe Maddon to be a big late-inning factor.

Often times teams may be searching hard for different options, but the Cubs depth has plenty of options. Edwards averaging 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings calls for definite consideration. In addition to this, the acquisition of Brach can prove to be one of the best options given his experience closing in Baltimore when Zack Britton got hurt.

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Although those two have experience, the Cubs have a consistent option with Cishek. In 2018, he had four saves with a  2.18 ERA which supports a strong case for being the closer. In this role, it is vital to have consistency in a part of the game that is in almost every game given the fact that a majority of games are decided by one run. 

It is likely that in May with Morrow back, and Strop getting back into the bullpen that there will be an early season shake-up. This is a great problem to have if things are going well with the bullpen. The whole bullpen has experience in the relief role as closers and set-up guys, which is often the most crucial time in a game. Having the confidence and consistency with a bullpen should take a team a long way, especially with the Cubs offense to complement the pitching staff.

The organization is making it clear that once Morrow is back, he will take the reins as closer again with success last year with 22 saves. If it were my choice, based on past performance, the Cubs best option would be Brach as the main closer until May, with Edwards, Cishek, and Strop (if healthy) as long relief and set-up guys.

It is hard to come by a closer like Aroldis Chapman and his electric aura, but now the Cubs do not need a quick fix and have pitchers under contract that will be viable options. As of now, I do not know if there is a clear cut option with Morrow and Strop still up in the air, but it is safe to say Strop will return first and be the primary closer.