During parts of six seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, Adam Morgan flashed the potential to be a consistently reliable left-handed option out of the bullpen. Ultimately, though, injuries and the introduction of the three-batter minimum kept him from reaching his full potential in Philadelphia.
The 30-year-old elected free agency after being outrighted in late October, and has now signed a minor-league deal with the Chicago Cubs, per Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia. The pact comes with an invite to major league spring training.
The invite to major league spring training may prove to be more symbolic than anything, as Morgan had flexor tendon surgery in early October, which came with a six to nine mont recovery window. Unless major league camp is pushed back a couple months – and even if it is – it may be a stretch for Morgan to compete for a job at the major league level to open the season.
In many ways, Morgan’s future is tied to whether the three-batter minimum, a rule Phillies manager Joe Girardi has been extremely critical of, becomes permanent. Right-handed hitters have slashed .290/.335/.524 off of Morgan in his career. However, Morgan does have value as a LOOGY, if the three-batter minimum is eliminated. Lefties have hit just .226 off of Morgan in six major league seasons.