The Chicago Cubs have made a move to bolster their bullpen, signing reliever Brad Brach according to multiple reports.
According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Brach has signed a one-year deal with the team that will pay him $3 million.
In 69 appearances with the Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves, Brach posted a 3.59 ERA and struck out 60 batters in 62.2 innings of work. He also registered 12 saves, including 11 with the Orioles, so he does have some closing experience.
The Cubs’ bullpen has been a point of concern with the likely absence of closer Brandon Morrow for the beginning of the season, as well as the heavy workloads that pitchers like Steve Cishek and Carl Edwards Jr. shouldered last season. Adding Brach to the mix would definitely help in both of those areas, and he could split save opportunities with Pedro Strop early in the campaign.
