The Chicago Cubs have made a pair of signings at baseball’s Winter Meetings, signing Drew Smyly and Brandon Morrow to contracts.
Morrow, who reportedly agreed to the parameters of a deal with the Cubs last week, signed a two-year deal with a vesting option for a third year. Smyly agreed to a two-year contract, the team announced.
Smyly, a starting pitcher who will likely compete for a role in the Cubs’ rotation after he fully recovers from Tommy John Surgery, went 7-12 with a 4.88 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 30 starts for the Tampa Bay Rays last season. Smyly is familiar with pitching coach Jim Hickey, who served in that same role with the Rays last year.
Morrow will likely be in contention to be the Cubs’ closer in the coming season. He had a strong season with the Dodgers in 2017, posting a 2.06 ERA and 50 strikeouts for the team. He was especially adept at keeping the ball in the ballpark, allowing zero home runs in 44 innings of work.
