St. Louis Cardinals: 6 under-the-radar closer candidates

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 19: Manager Mike Matheny #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals calls to the bullpen for a right handed pitcher as he visits the mound against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 19, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Cardinals 7-6 in 15 innings. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 19: Manager Mike Matheny #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals calls to the bullpen for a right handed pitcher as he visits the mound against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 19, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Cardinals 7-6 in 15 innings. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 25: Brandon Morrow
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 25: Brandon Morrow /

Option #2: Brandon Morrow

If you’re watching the World Series right now, you definitely know Brandon Morrow’s name. Whether or not you knew him before this season’s Fall Classic is a different story, but you still know him.

In case you don’t know him, just look for the guy throwing 100 MPH out of the Dodgers’ bullpen. I badly want Brandon Morrow suiting up for the St. Louis Cardinals next year.

Since being drafted 5th overall in 2006, Morrow has suffered through an almost unbelievable rash of injuries while being a failed starter. The Dodgers took a flyer on him this offseason and he spent the season in their bullpen. 

In 43.2 innings, Morrow posted a 2.06 ERA, 1.55 FIP, 10.3 K/9, 4.4% walk rate, and 1.6 fWAR. This is a power right-handed pitcher who is still just somehow entering his age-33 season and has a lot left in the tank, having only thrown 828 career innings.

If the Cardinals sign him, he’s your closer in 2018. Plain and simple. And, considering the lack of attention his free agent stock is receiving, Morrow could potentially be had for less than $5 million a year – quite the bargain nowadays.