One free agent each MLB team should sign right now

Chicago Cubs: Greg Holland

As with the Red Sox, who we just touched on, the Cubs have very few weaknesses or remaining needs this offseason. Closer is the only spot where it still makes sense for Theo Epstein to add to his roster. Spending big for a closer has not been Epstein’s style, and he passed on re-signing Aroldis Chapman and Wade Davis in back-to-back years.

Continuing to go year-by-year at closer could be in the plan for the Cubs, and Brandon Morrow is penciled in to do the job for now. The 33-year-old has finally found his place in the big leagues as a reliever after struggling as a starter for the better part of eight years. Morrow was a top-five pick out of college, so it’s clear the ability was always there. He just had to harness it.

In his first full season as a reliever, Morrow gave the Los Angeles Dodgers 43.0 innings with a 2.06 ERA. Before making his LA debut in at the end of May, however, Morrow had a 7.20 ERA in 20 games at Triple-A. He also imploded in the World Series, but that may have been a matter of workload. Either way, betting on Morrow to close is a huge gamble for the Cubs if they hope to contend for the World Series yet again.

Epstein was never going to pony up $17 million a year for Davis. That’s just not his style. As the list of potential landing spots shrinks and Opening Day approaches, Greg Holland may be forced to lower his asking price. Don’t rule out the Cubs from coming in with a late offer if the deal can be structured in a way that is friendly to the club.