Cubs land Brandon Morrow: Fantasy fallout

The Cubs are on the cusp of signing Brandon Morrow to a two-year deal. What is the fantasy fallout of the deal?

The winter meetings are in full swing and teams are wasting no time in scooping up relievers. One of the biggest RP dominos, Brandon Morrow, looks like he is headed to the Cubs. What is the fantasy fallout of the deal?

A month ago, we discussed how Morrow could shape up to be a fantasy sleeper in 2018. Well, his sleeper status did not last long, as Morrow heads to Chicago to presumably close for the club.

Morrow only notched 2 SV last season, but was dynamite for the Dodgers, eventually becoming the primary set up man for Kenley Jansen. He ended the 2017 season with 56 innings pitched, which is his highest total since 2012.

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Outside of a rough World Series,  he was great in the playoffs. Morrow’ raw stuff has never been in question, but it is very encouraging to see that he was touching 98 mph with his fastball even in October.

Over the course of his eight-month season, batters posted a .201 AVG  on his fastball and slider. He was filthy all season and with the sustained velocity, it looks like he will find a second life as a reliever after all.

Wade Davis looks to be on his way out, and he finished his one season with the Cubbies with 32 SV. The Cubs will enter 2018 will a solid club once again. They have already made a move to bolster the rotation with Tyler Chatwood, and they will also get a full season of Jose Quintana as well.

The bullpen still has Carl Edwards, Pedro Strop and Justin Wilson on board, so while they could use another arm, they have a decent bridge. Morrow had 29 fewer strikeouts than Davis last season, yet in 14 fewer games.

Now Morrow lacks the upper K/9 that the top strikeout RP possess, but he still posted a solid 10.3 K/9. Over the course of a full campaign, Morrow should be able to flirt with 35 SV, while sitting somewhere close to the 75 K range, which would place him firmly among the top-10 fantasy RP.

Next: Fatnasy Baseball 2018: Avoid Chris Davis

Brandon Morrow had been long written off in the fantasy community,  but his success as an RP and now a presumed closer on a good club, should have him right back in the good graces.

Make him a high target reliever in 2018.