Cubs to Reportedly Bring Back Reliever Brandon Morrow

Though the return they've received on their investment in fireballing closer Brandon Morrow hasn't quite satisfied the Wrigley Faithful yet, Chicago's decided to give it one more try with an incentive-laden (and still small) minor-league deal.

Morrow will return to the Cubs next season, presumably, but will have to earn back the role in the back end of the 'pen that was once given to him.

The #Cubs are bringing back reliever Brandon Morrow, agreeing to a minor league contract that will pay him $1 million in #MLB with $1.25 million in incentives
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 13, 2019

Even if Morrow meets all incentives, he'll still only accrue $2.25 million in salary, it appears, a far cry from his previous earning potential.

But it's hard to have faith in his resurgence at this point; after all, he hasn't pitched since pre-All-Star Break 2018.

Cubs and Brandon Morrow agree on a minor league deal, per source. Says his arm is feeling great. Hasn't pitched since before the all-star break in 2018.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) December 13, 2019

If nearly two years away from the game hasn't done him in, the Cubs are hopeful he can regain his form. In case you forgot, he was outright dominant in 2017 with the Dodgers (2.06 ERA, 50 K's in 43.2 innings pitched) before being severely overworked in the postseason. What followed was a low-ERA half-season with the Cubbies (1.47), but featuring only a K per nine innings, and then a never-ending cascade of injuries up until...well, right now.

Let's hope he's able to reclaim some of the panache he once brought to the role.