Cubs should keep buying beyond Jesse Chavez

With Brandon Morrow back on the disabled list, it’s important for the Chicago Cubs to continue to buy in addition to the Jesse Chavez move.

The Chicago Cubs were forced to acquire a reliever in Jesse Chavez, once they found out that Brandon Morrow would need another stint on the 10-day disabled list with bicep inflammation. Unfortunately, that’s nothing new for the Cubs.

Morrow spent time on the DL last month due to back spasms that he first got while undressing. Certainly, that’s not an everyday kind of injury but it proves that Morrow is injury prone.

He’s never pitched in more than 60 games a reliever, his next closest was 45 games which he did last year with the Dodgers. The sad part is, he’s been extremely effective as the Cubs closer when healthy.

So far in 2018, he has 22 saves and a career-low 1.47 ERA. The addition of Jesse Chavez should help the Cubbies bullpen but it won’t be nearly enough to replace Morrow.

In 30 games with Texas, Chavez has a 3.50 ERA, which is his best since 2014 when he was with Oakland. Chavez has just three saves in his career so he won’t really fill the hole that Morrow leaves, instead, he adds depth.

The Cubs should remain active and pursue someone who can act as a closer, or even a setup man once Morrow returns from his bicep inflammation. Luckily for the Cubs, there are some rentals available who have closing experience.

In New York, Jeurys Familia is on the last year of his contract. With the Mets way out of things, perhaps the Cubs could offer a mid-level prospect to the Mets in exchange for Familia’s services from late July through October.

This year, Familia has a 2.88 ERA with 17 saves. Familia is just two years removed from a 51-save season and a 47-save season three years ago. He will certainly make you sweat it out with him on the mound, but he’s been an effective closer for four years now, and likely wouldn’t cost a whole lot to get.

Then, in the American League, you have the Orioles beginning a fire sale. Zach Britton, who is also on the last year of his contract, will likely be available. The 30-year-old only four saves this year, in limited work, but is a former two-time all-star, with three straight 30-plus save seasons from 2014-2016.

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A move for Familia or Britton ensures that the Cubs bullpen is set for October. With the second half set to begin, Chicago finds themselves three games up in the NL Central. If they want that division crown, and a chance to win the pennant, they’ll have to bolster up that bullpen, and they should have the pieces to do it.