7:45pm: Nightengale tweets that while Morel’s name has come up in discussions on Glasnow, the Cubs are reluctant to move him for a player with one year of team control. Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of the Athletic, on the other hand, write that Morel has not come up in any recent discussions about Glasnow.
3:34pm: The Cubs are one of many clubs to have known interest in Rays’ right-hander Tyler Glasnow and Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports today that Christopher Morel’s name has surfaced in those talks.
It’s unclear which club decided to make Morel part of the negotiations but it was reported last month that the Cubs were willing to make Morel part of the return in a potential Pete Alonso trade. Perhaps Morel has been squeezed out of the plan in Wrigley and the club is shopping him around to see what he could bring in return.
The tricky thing with Morel is that he has tremendous power in his bat but doesn’t have a perfect spot to fit onto the Cubs’ roster. He’s hit 42 home runs in his first 854 plate appearances, despite a 31.6% strikeout rate. His .241/.311/.471 batting line thus far translates to a wRC+ of 114. But attempts to have him line up defensively at shortstop, third base or the outfield haven’t gone well. His work at second base is passable but the Cubs have a set middle infield of Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner.
It was reported about a month ago that the Cubs would get Morel some first base reps in winter ball, though that wouldn’t be an ideal fit for him either since he has 99th percentile arm strength. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said at that time that “another team might be able to put him” at second base.
It seems as though the Cubs may feel as though the best use of the talent on their roster is to explore trades for Morel and perhaps address first base in some other way. He still has five years of club control remaining and hasn’t yet reached arbitration, which should give him plenty of appeal. It was reported earlier today that the club is discussing various contract structures with first baseman Rhys Hoskins. If they can get something done there and also flip Morel for some pitching help, perhaps that is a preferable path to paying for pitching and using Morel at first base.
That will naturally depend on how the talks proceed and whether the Rays want Morel to be the center of any Glasnow return. The Rays have a solid second baseman in Brandon Lowe. He has missed some time due to injuries in the past two seasons but has still been able to hit at an above-average rate. He’s also controlled at an affordable rate through 2024 with a couple of reasonable club options after that. The club also has Isaac Paredes and Jonathan Aranda as guys on the roster capable of playing second.
Acquiring Morel is probably not the first choice for the Rays, given their incumbent infield options. Though they are considering moving Glasnow and his $25MM salary, they have obvious rotation needs and will need to think about bringing in cheaper pitching in the event they pull the trigger on a trade. With each of Shane McClanahan, Drew Rasmussen and Jeffrey Springs set to miss most or all of the 2024 season due to elbow surgeries, the rotation isn’t in great shape. They still have Glasnow, Zach Eflin and Aaron Civale but some question marks beyond that. But Glasnow’s salary and perpetual payroll concerns in Tampa might lead them to try to balance saving money while still running out a talented roster.
The Rays are generally unafraid to make deals and could perhaps also flip Lowe for pitching in addition to acquiring Morel in a Glasnow deal, though that would require further conversations with other clubs and it might be easier if they just have an offer that involves a younger pitcher coming to them directly in a Glasnow deal. It’s also possible that the Cubs and Rays discussed larger trade scenarios involving more than just Glasnow and Morel, as clubs often consider all kinds of plausible scenarios at this time of year.
The Rays have also received interest from clubs such as the Cardinals and Reds while there are also plenty of other speculative fits. Some of those clubs may be pursuing big free agents like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery and may pivot to the trade market if they come up short there. Perhaps the Rays will wait to see if they can get a few more clubs on the line after the free agent market moves a bit more, but they could also strike quickly if they find a deal that they truly like.
Who else is going to the cubs. Morel has a lot of team control left. Not sure it’s worth trading him for a rental.
Not even close. Plus GlassJoe is owed 25 mill next year.
I agree Logjammer. I would not do it, especially for an injury-prone rental.
That’s what I’m saying. Glasnow would be a nice pick up no doubt but he’s had a fair amount of injury issues.
I would’ve expected the Rays to want controllable pitching in return. But maybe it’s part of a larger deal..?
Kind of funny that the one move that’s never mentioned is if 2B is Morel’s best position why not move Nico to 3rd base and put Morel at 2nd? I know it kind of stinks to ask Nico to move again, But why pay money for an outside 3B when you have the solution right in front of your face? If they somehow manage one of the big prizes in FA, Yamamoto or Ohtani, Then you’re gonna need to save money someplace.
Rays are loaded with pitchers and right now are probably trying to replace Franco in the lineup.
What???? Rays are absolutely not loaded with pitchers. That’s their biggest need (along with catcher).
What does he strikeout about 280 times a year
Wander Franco and his contract.
1 year of Glasnow. That means 9 starts. No thank you.
Morel has a chance to be a beast. In 1.5 years since being called up from AA. He’s hit 50 Homer’s 140 rbi’s and has cannon for a arm. Ross miss manages this kid from the start. 5 years of control for a pitcher that can’t stay healthy. No thank you. Make a commitment to him , develop him,and I believe he will be a superstar! Keep morel!
There’s no way the Cubs do this as a 1:1 deal. 5 years of Morel for one year of a $25 mill oft injured pitcher? Lol.
They could wait but they could also not wait if they get a good deal…
Whew…a lot of articles using the terms “discussed”, “believed”, and other euphemisms for no real activity for this Winter Meeting. What a disappointment it’s been so far. And tomorrow is the last day!
I agree.
Horrible.
Can Morel pitch? He can be a P/DH. I assume my check is in the mail.
Just what I was thinking!
As expected.
4 years of Morel for 1 year of Glasnow?? Huh?
They can always stipulate that the deal is not official unless they get a window to work out an extension with Glasnow.
Do you mean 1/2 year of Glasnow. That’s all he pitches.
There have to be some other players coming back the Cubs way. That or the Rays are eating some of his salary, which I highly doubt since his salary is a large part of why they’re trading him in the first place.
I would really hate to lose Morel for a one year rental of an injury plagued pitcher.
Morel is one of those players that could be an absolute star if he could just marginally tweak his game in one or two areas. The power is definitely there. He’s right on the cusp of being a truly great player and I’ll bet you anything the Rays could figure out how to make that happen.
If this happens it could haunt us for a while.
Morel would need to adjust his attitude and dedicate himself to his craft rather than going about things much the way he has. Nobody has ever accused him of being the most hard working player on the roster.
His attitude? He’s all smiles and positivity 24/7. If by “attitude” you mean his work ethic, I’ve never heard anything about him not being a hard worker.
That smile is used to divert attention from what really goes on underneath the surface. He’s clever in how he portrays himself when others are watching.
Rando is FOS.
Sounds like you have some legit inside info?
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
Let me guess, you also think that Trump won the last presidential election. You’re even worse than Nightenwrong, which is really saying something.
How the freak do you know he doesn’t work hard? Come on. Dude a future star if managed and developed.
His a literal energizer bunny. His attitude is great.
I’m also a strong supporter of Morel due to his obvious hitting power. Like Catuli Carl, I think with some additional adjustments he will be star on offense in 2024 (and the Cubs certainly need additional hitters with power). If Morel is traded he will become a bona-fide star elsewhere. The Cubs’ hitting coach(es) need to help him figure it out or another team’s coaches will (which will result in a very unfortunate loss for the Cubs).
Also, the Cubs can definitely do better (!) than Glasnow.
Wow, Morel has a good throwing arm, so we can’t play him at 1B, even though his power would be a good fit there. It would be better to spend Millions on Hoskins, and then trade Morel and his pre arb contract for a $25MM rental Pitcher. Win, win!
Ignore any mention of Morels arm, yeah he can throw hard but the reason he doesn’t have a defensive home is his arm is wild. The mentioning of Morels arm as a positive shows the writer doesn’t have much knowledge on Morel as a player.
Crazy good arm. Unfortunately as you say, it’s like a Gatling gun with a crooked barrel.
How did this guy hit 26 hr ‘s last season when he only weighs 145lb ?
Have you ever seen Christopher Morel?
Have you ever seen Christopher Morel
Seems fair. The guys a .250 career BA and wOBA of 0.330? Doesn’t spell superstar at all.
No, just no.
Glasnow is made of glass and would be on the disabled list next or whatever you call it now.
Trade Morel for something better.
No team should pay anything of value for an overrated and expensive SP who can only pitch 120 innings.
Rays are a poverty franchise and can’t afford him. Wait it out
Not excited about the possibility of Glasnow in Chicago. To fragile, money could be spent better elsewhere.
Christopher Morel could also be a centerpiece candidate in a trade for Juan Soto, Pete Alonso or Dylan Cease. The Rays might need to send something else back to the Cubs for Glasnow.
Pete Alonso isn’t being traded. The Mets have stated this numerous times.
Rays must be shopping for a 2B. Dodgers should have peddled Lux to them.
Yeah, bc we don’t have enough 2b/3b types…
Besides poor durability, realize he struggled until pine tar use became rampant. Last year he was decent, but not the emerging ace. Good luck to whoever gambles on him being that TOR guy.
Reds aren’t shelling out big bucks for free agents. Come on, Darragh.
Christopher Morel at a league-minimum salary would permit Tampa Bay to offload the increasing salaries of Isaac Paredes, Randy Arozarena or Yandy Diaz for a lower-cost starter to replace Tyler Glasnow.
Rays will get a 1st round pick at the end of the 1st round if they hold onto Glasnow & offer him a QO next off-season. If any team wants to acquire Glasnow a fair offer has to be made.
Again the Rays have a end of the 1st round compensatory pick after next off-season so that is their “floor” with a Glasnow compensation.
Yes probably not.
if they’re trading Morel, it seems they’re adding a 3B via FA like Chapman. I think they’ll sign Hoskins for 1B, too. Cubs making solid moves if these both come to fruition in addition to getting Glasnow.
Where does Morel play in Tampa? They like gloves.
DH spot, Morel is exciting and has the stuff but he can’t field for jack. Maybe Tampa’s coaching staff can make a fielder out of him, I wouldn’t put it past them.
He fields fine. He can’t throw, despite a 100 mph arm there’s no telling where it’s going.
I do want Glasnow, but maybe not 1 for 1 for Morel, especially since Morel has so much club control. I’d want Glasnow to sign an extension for that deal.
Why? If he signed a five year extension you’d be lucky to get 300 innings total. He has six full years in the majors and he’s topped 100 innings twice with his high being just 120 innings last year. He’s also on the wrong side of 30.
How good can Morel be if they lost Bellinger and are looking at Hoskins for 1B. Cubs don’t have ab’s for him?
Pitching is much more valuable than hitting and fielding. Glasnow for Morel is about right, and the Cubs might have to throw in more to get Glasnow. If Morel was as good as Cubs fans keep claiming, he wouldn’t be on his way out the door. He’s a HR hitter who does nothing else. He’s got a strong arm but is otherwise a negative defender. The years of control is only relevant in that he’s about to become very expensive, HRs get guys paid in arbitration. $25m for a top rotation guy is sort of a team friendly deal these days. It’s clear the rays only interest is reducing payroll, or reallocating Glasnow salary to other needs. Morel isn’t really a fit. Also, a rental is a partial season, not a full season and off season. He has one year of control, not a rental. Todays generation misuse of words is appalling.
You nailed it Highway. The article is nothing but “Cubs want Glas and want to get rid of Morel” and “Rays are looking to trade Glas, have multiple teams interested, and don’t want Morel” and all the comments are “Rays will have to pay up for Morel”. Uh huh….
And it would be a rental if it was more than one year. The context in your comparison is completely wrong. Baseball terminology has always referred to acquiring a player during their last season of control as a rental. Somehow that got morphed into anyone on a one year deal.
It’s Nightingale. Probably didn’t happen.
Manoah for Morel ???
FYI – Glasnow is not injury prone. He basically injured his elbow, was told he could rest it and play in the post-season, so that’s what happened. Next year, same thing happened. Following year, really tears the elbow ligament and goes under the knife. 2023 was his first year back and he pitched the max innings the Rays outlined for him at the start of the season. Perhaps not the way they envisioned, but still… So I don’t agree that Glasnow is injury prone when he tried to rehab an injury with rest that required TJS to really fix. The subsequent injuries were not new injuries and I’m not calling the guy injury prone as a result.
Ok mp, How about describing it this way – Glasnow is a big, Injury Risk? And you only get one guaranteed year of his service?? That, isn’t worth much my friend.
Injuries are a part of his game?
(Too soon?)
Why would Glas be any more of an injury risk than anyone else 1 year following his return from TJS? Most TJS guys don’t have any problems for a few years at least. I’m expecting 175 IP or more from him next year and for him to be in the Cy Young discussion. And if the Cubs felt as most Cubs fans apparently do that he is such an injury risk, they wouldn’t be discussing a trade for him at all.
I personally think this is the year he might finally pitch a full season.
Maybe because he’s 6-8 and throws 98 and a high spin curve as a starter?
If Morel gets traded (Big If) it will be to Seattle for one of those young starters
They could give Jeter Martinez. He’s 17 year old young starter.
I don’t see Morel being moved for a short term rental. Sure, he strikes out a lot but he’s been up for a while now and showed he can make his adjustment to major league pitching and be an impact bat. If you look at his splits from last year, outside a month stretch where he was really bad, he was really solid.
Morel is a guy who has 30 plus home run power, plus base runner and is good for 20 plus doubles. He also still has upside. He doesn’t have a position but he can fill in anywhere on the diamond. Having him as a primary DH that can give guys days off is pretty valuable.
No no cubs
Cubs keep morel and he can DH for years for you guys
DHing is hard and it’s not for everyone. Take Morel for instance. He spent the majority of his time at DH (56% of PAs) and his bat was weakest when he played DH (102 wRC+)..
So Nightengale is now walking back his own rumor. Old Bob is a piece of work.
NIGHTENGALE STRIKES AGAIN
Everyone seems so high on Morel, I’m not seeing it. He has a strong arm but can’t play defense, he strikes out a lot but has power. Sounds like Jorge Soler but at least he was a quality right fielder for a little bit in his youth.
I wouldn’t trade Glasnow for him 1:1, and people are posting like the cubs would get the worst part of that deal. Morel is the type of player that eventually doesn’t even justify arbitration raises because his profile isn’t that valuable, Chris Carter style
First of all, Jorge Soler never was a quality right fielder. Ever.
Second, Morel can play defense. It’s his 99 percentile arm that is the problem. The fact MLBTR mentioned his arm as a positive shows how little they know about Morel.
Morels profile IS valuable, he’s a 2 WAR offensive player with even more upside and he can play all over the diamond, just not well. He’s capable to fill in for a day at short, third, rf, lf, cf, second base, possibly first and hits well enough to DH. That’s value, especially when you have depth. You have to blind or not able to see the bigger picture. Guy needs a day off but you want to keep his bat in the line up, you have Morel. Guy gets hurt in the middle of the game, you have Morel. Guy needs a couple days off but you don’t want to put him on the IL, again, Morel. Guys like Morel do not get non-tendered, guys like Vogelbach do.
I wrote something back on November 25, 2023, with how it is smarter for the Cubs to make a move with the Rays for Glasnow with moving one player or two with obtaining his salary rather than dumping their farms for Soto or Alonso. It makes more sense, but what do I know besides Glasnow is going on his walk year where the Cubs could get a great performance from him to win their division or go further while having money to get a bat in their line up.
You need great pitching to win in the playoffs. I’d trade Morel in a heartbeat for Glasnow. Then, try to extend him. Next season when he stays healthy for the whole season. He’s going to cost a fortune in free agency. TOR arms don’t grow on trees. Trade for one and lock him up on the cheap. Some fans are dillusional thinking Morel is more valuable than Glasnow.
Just what the Rays need, another INF! Sometimes these rooomers are so void of logic.