Cubs' bullpen has thrived - even without contributions from a big offseason addition

It seems like a million years ago now, but there was a time when the signing of Eli Morgan was one of the most significant moves the Chicago Cubs made this offseason.

It started going wrong almost immediately. After a couple of so-so outings, he got blown up. Then he had a couple of more so-so outings, and then blew up again. It's looking more and more like that will be the story of his entire Cubs career.

It also seems like a million years ago that Morgan's struggles were indicative of a Chicago Cubs bullpen that was among the worst in the majors. One blown save after another, and there were real concerns that signings like Morgan's were going to derail the season. The reliever was placed on the IL, Jed Hoyer rearranged the pen, and since, it's been one of the best in baseball.

Ryan Brasier, Chris Flexen, a newly returned Porter Hodge, Brad Keller, Daniel Palencia, Drew Pomeranz, Caleb Thielbar and Ryan Pressly have all filled in admirably despite being quite the who's-who of dumpster dives and reclamation projects.

Of that group, it feels like only Palencia has the kind of stuff that should translate to the results the entire bullpen has had. Somehow, Hoyer and Tommy Hottovy have put together a pen held together by bubble gum and bailing wire.

Chicago Cubs bullpen ranks third in ERA while Eli Morgan’s rehab stalls

On the season, the Cubs' bullpen has the third-best ERA in the league. That's after the first month of the year, where it was 26th in the big leagues with a 4.26 ERA.

It's been even better since May 1, when the unit really turned the corner. The Cubs' pen has a 2.47 ERA, and it's not just that that's tops in the league; it's the margin, as the San Francisco Giants are second with a 3.18 earned run average. This version of the pen also has the second-most walks allowed in the Majors since May 1, an eye-opening turnaround for a unit that seemed to give out free passes far too often.

The excellent news about the bullpen doing all of this is that it certainly seems like Eli Morgan won't be rejoining them anytime soon. After a poor rehab assignment that was supposed to be the beginning of his return to Wrigley he suffered a setback and is now looking for second opinions about what's going on.

While the Chicago Cubs might acquire a strikeout, lockdown reliever at the deadline, it feels like putting Eli Morgan back on the roster would upset the apple cart. For now, the pen is as good as it's been in a long time.