The Dodgers signed a free agent pitcher this weekend and no it wasn’t Trevor Bauer. That free agent was none other than flame throwing right hander, Brandon Morrow. If that name sounds familiar, Brandon Morrow was a critical piece of the 2017 Dodgers team that represented the National League in the World Series. We all know how that series worked out and it didn’t exactly workout in favor of the Dodgers or Brandon Morrow.
In the 2017 season, Brandon Morrow was critical to the Dodgers bullpen. He went 6-0 with a 2.06 ERA in 43.2 innings. Of course, his World Series ERA was a 8.44 as he pitched in all seven games of that series, though only pitched 5.1 innings and gave up five earned runs. Is it fair to say that he sucked in the World Series? No, it isn’t in hindsight. We all know about the 2017 Astros and their cheating scandal and in a season where Brandon Morrow dominated, the tables were flipped and he couldn’t get an out to save his life.
Unfortunately, Brandon Morrow’s current World Series reputation is defined as George Springer and Carlos Correa both teeing off and launching mammoth home runs. Now, after two injury plagued seasons with the Chicago Cubs, Morrow is back with the team who he had the most success with. If anyone knows how to fix a broken pitcher, it’s the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In addition to Brandon Morrow, the Dodgers also signed Brock Stewart. Stewart, 29, pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019 after he way placed on waivers from the Dodgers. He was then drafted by the Cubs in the Rule 5 draft but was released in May of 2020 before he could actually pitch. Stewart is back and most likely offers minor league depth.
Other than Morrow and Stewart, the Dodgers also signed Carlos Asuaje, James Pazos and Jimmy Nelson to minor league deals. In my opinion, these moves could solely be for depth within the minor league teams but I think it is for the major league roster. The additions of Morrow, Nelson and Pazos could mean that the Dodgers are going to be moving on from Treinen and Baez. We have seen a reluctance from Andrew Friedman to sign reliever pitchers to big contracts, with the exception of Joe Kelly and Kenley Jansen. Maybe Treinen or another free agent reliever such as Liam Hendriks are looking for too much money.
I am excited that Brandon Morrow is back with the Dodgers and I hope he will still have an effective fastball. With the closer role being an uncertainty in Los Angeles, Morrow could possibly be a candidate for that position in the bullpen.
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