Cubs Free Agency Wish List: Adrian Morejon Invites Endless Intrigue at a Steep Cost

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As far as relief pitchers go, Adrian Morejon represents the best the free-agent market has to offer. It isn't difficult to see why the Chicago Cubs could have interest here during the offseason. An actual pursuit of the former San Diego Padres set-up man in a way that's considered legitimate, however, is a bit more of a head-scratcher.

There isn't any denying the ability that Morejon offers. Working in San Diego as the primary set-up man to Mason Miller, the two formed an absolutely dynamite 1-2 punch at the back end of games. For his part, Morejon's work in 2026 was, in many respects, the best of his career.

By fWAR (2.8), Morejon was fourth in reliever value this past season. His 30.4 percent strikeout rate ranked 18th among qualifying relief pitchers, while he posted a gaudy 58.0 groundball rate and a 2.83 ERA. And then there's the matter of his percentile distribution, which is comprised almost exclusively of deep reds:

Strong whiff and strikeout numbers, exceptional ability to work around quality contact, and getting the majority of that contact driven into the ground? Yeah, that's going to play virtually anywhere. His performance this season was such that it isn't a stretch to think that a team could pay him a handsome sum and plant him in the ninth inning as a closer (the Cubs included). Of course, role is one thing, and we'll circle back on that. Instead, let's talk caveats.

For one, Morejon has a bit of a checkered injury history (which is an understatement), including a previous Tommy John surgery and various scattered elbow & shoulder issues. Since 2024, he's remained healthy and progressively increased his workload to totals of 63.2, 73.2, and 86.0 innings across three seasons. That's heavy volume for a reliever, especially one who primarily works in high-leverage situations. There were also some slight bumps late in the year, as well as the matter of an apparent shoulder issue that held him out at the end of their NLDS loss to Milwaukee, but nothing that warrants long-term fears.

Caveat No. 2 is a little more prevalent. The Padres extended Morejon a qualifying offer, which means that if the luxury tax-paying Cubs sign him, they're on the hook for the contract itself, their second- and fifth-highest picks in the draft, and a forfeiture of $1 million in international bonus pool money. That aspect alone makes it feel unlikely that an actual, earnest pursuit of Morejon is in the cards for the North Siders.

But the question of Morejon's role does keep the door open at least slightly. For one, there's the simple idea that this is one of the game's best leverage arms. Eighth inning? Sure. Ninth inning? You could see it. An arm like Morejon is such a dynamic presence that even the forfeiture of all of the above isn't completely enough to dissuade a team like the Cubs from trying to add him.

At the same time, there's also the possibility that the Cubs could address the starting staff by signing the 28-year-old. He began his career as a starter, has progressively increased his workload, and has a starter's arsenal (sinker, slider, change, four-seam). It's been floated out there by a few different outlets, so it's not an idea that sits entirely outside of the realm of possibility. Would that idea, though, make the Cubs more inclined to pursue given the ultimate cost? It feels at least possible, since the fallback option of planting him back in relief always exists.

In any case, it's not an easy situation to navigate (for the Cubs or any team). Adrian Morejon is a genuinely elite reliever who is coming off some heavy volume, a questionable injury history, and is in line for a major contract. But the prospect of the upside, wherein the late innings become far more secure than the Cubs are used to, is tantalizing. The idea of a conversion back to starting adds another layer of intrigue.

Given the Cubs' needs, this is a connection that we'll see quite regularly until he does sign elsewhere (or accepts the qualifying offer). Whether or not they're willing to pay the price is another matter entirely.