AP Photo/Colin E. Braley

The Rundown: Morel Trade Could Signal Additional Moves, Front Office Believes in Pearson’s Potential, Trade Rumors Running Rampant

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterJuly 29, 2024

“Where have all the people gone my honey? Where have all the people gone today?” – Widespread Panic, Walk Me Out in the Morning Dew (Grateful Dead Cover)

Jed Hoyer promised he’d have to make some tough decisions this week, but I don’t believe trading Christopher Morel was part of that thought process. Though I don’t have any insight into the machinations of Hoyer’s front office, I think this was a rip-the-band-aid-off move the executive needed to make to have the courage to execute additional trades. You may remember a similar instance a few years back when the president of baseball operations decided the shock and awe decision of non-tendering Kyle Schwarber was the necessary kickstart for a number of similarly tough decisions the following season.

Cubs fans can take solace in the fact that there is no real core to disassemble this year, but make no mistake, more trades are coming before Tuesday’s deadline. Nico Hoerner seems like a genuine trade candidate, though Hoyer might move Matt Shaw or James Triantos instead. I’d bet money that Jameson Taillon and Hector Neris — among others — will be sporting new duds by tomorrow evening. I’m sure Hoyer would like to move Cody Bellinger if he can find a taker, but, despite some rumors to the contrary, I do not believe Justin Steele will be shipped out.

As far as Morel is concerned, the Cubs really screwed him up. It was nice to see a more selective approach by the slugger, but it took a lot of his emotion out of his game, something he needs to thrive offensively. And let’s face it, he was never going to play passable third base, at least not for a team that relies on grounders instead of strikeouts from its pitching staff. Morel is a second baseman or a DH at best, and the Cubs are too deep at the keystone to let Morel block prospects. Additionally, Hoyer and manager Craig Counsell prefer to cycle players at DH to give them a bit of a break from playing defense, baseball’s version of a staycation.

The addition of Isaac Paredes feels a lot like snatching Jeimer Candelario at least year’s deadline, the difference of course being that Paredes is not a rental. I don’t think he’s the long-term answer at third base, but he’ll keep the hot corner warm until Cam Smith is ready. Adding Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson is a bit of an overpay, but I’ll reserve judgment until the deadline passes. If anything, I’d like to see Hoyer to free up enough salary so that next year’s top executive can legitimately bid on Juan Soto. That won’t happen if Hoyer is still employed by the Cubs, but one can dream.

I understand Morel is a fan favorite but I’m okay with this trade. Counsell is advising the font office on potential moves and he was forced to give Morel an extended look at third base. The manager probably knew all along Morel would struggle, and I’m sure Hoyer did too. The 25-year-old should excel with the Rays once he’s unleashed, and Bigge and Johnson are great gets for Tampa Bay.

That said, the trade feels like a lateral move at best, though it does allow Hoyer to once again move the goalposts. The Cubs were supposed to compete this year and clearly failed. It’s tough to imagine this team contending next year, but that will play out this winter. Paredes hits a little better than Morel and fields a lot better, but in no way does he change this season’s trajectory. Chicago’s competitive window feels a lot more like 2026 now, which is Hoyer’s comfort zone. I don’t believe he has the stones to go chips-in for a pennant. I also believe front offices across baseball know that and use it to take advantage of Chicago’s top executive.

Cubs News & Notes

Odds & Sods

No mention of Morel though…

Central Intelligence

Deadline Dispatch

The Rangers announced Monday morning that they’ve traded right-hander Michael Lorenzen to the Royals for minor league lefty Walter Pennington.

Texas also acquired outfielder Carson Kelly late last night from the Tigers for catching prospect Liam Hicks.

The Padres acquired right-hander Jason Adam from the Rays for three prospects, per announcements from both clubs. The Friars sent righty Dylan Lesko, outfielder Homer Bush and catcher J.D. Gonzalez to Tampa Bay.

Philadelphia traded hard-throwing reliever Seranthony Dominguez to the Orioles for outfielder Austin Hays.

The Orioles are also targeting Snell and Tarik Skubal.

The Yankees have asked St. Louis about the availability of UT Tommy Edman. The Dodgers like Edman, too.

Many executives gasped at the quality of prospects the Phillies surrendered to the Angels for Carlos Estévez, who is a free agent after this season.

Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com believes relievers will net the biggest returns.

Buster Olney and Jeff Passan of ESPN addressed the latest trade rumors ($), and here are some of the juicier tidbits:

  • The Reds are close to becoming sellers. – Olney
  • Teams are blanching at the prices for players now, but that is a consequence of a market with so few available who can provide instant impact. – Passan
  • The Orioles still have a quiver of arrows to fire. They’d like to trade depth pieces like Ryan Mountcastle and Cedric Mullins or use a package of prospects to strengthen their rotation. – Passan
  • The Dodgers have the farm system to get anyone, but they could try to swing a deal with St. Louis for Edman. – Passan
  • Los Angeles is not afraid of the unusual demands that White Sox starter Garrett Crochet made last week. – Olney
  • The White Sox may not be as inclined to trade Crochet or Luis Robert Jr. as some may think. – Olney
  • The Guardians are looking for a starting pitcher and at least one bat. – Olney
  • The Mets and Yankees are pursuing Snell. – Passan
  • The Marlins will move reliever Tanner Scott. – Olney
  • Blue Jays left-hander Yusei Kikuchi and White Sox outfielder Tommy Pham are guaranteed to move. – Passan
  • Front offices believe the Astros will be very active today and tomorrow. – Olney
  • The Rays aren’t done trading players. – Olney
  • The Nationals will be active sellers. – Passan
  • There is plenty of action coming. Perhaps not the sorts of names that make for sexy headlines, but ones that will unquestionably play a role in helping crown a World Series champion. – Passan

The Athletic (subscriber content) is also chock full of rumors and rumblings:

  • The White Sox continue to work on trades and Crochet is still in play. – Jim Bowden
  • The Dodgers like Robert Jr., but the Chicago’s ask might be beyond their acceptable range. – Ken Rosenthal
  • The Giants expect that the shortage of left-handed bats in the market could enable them to move outfielder Michael Conforto for a prospect without covering part of the approximately $6 million he will be owed at the deadline. – Rosenthal
  • The Cardinals and Brewers are pushing to acquire Erick Fedde. – Rosenthal
  • Several teams are waiting to see what will happen with Snell, Crochet and Skubal before moving on to the next level of available starting pitchers. However, it appears Fedde, Kikuchi and Jack Flaherty all will be dealt as soon as the situations with the top three are flushed out. – Bowden
  • The Royals are targeting one of three right-handed bats — Lane Thomas, Taylor Ward or Luis Rengifo. – Jayson Stark
  •  The Orioles, Yankees, Red Sox and Royals are leading the mix of teams interested in acquiring Scott.
  • The Blue Jays are selling but big moves, like trading Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or Bo Bichette, are unlikely – Bowden
  • The Phillies are looking for a centerfielder. – Bowden
  • Philadelphia is also interested in White Sox reliever Michael Kopech. – Rosenthal

Extra Innings

I would have liked to see Morel reunited with Willson Contreras but there was no way that was going to happen.

They Said It

  • “A consultant, I guess, is the best way to say it. We have people spending the bulk of their days and weeks and months on players and these issues. That’s their sweet spot. You let them do their thing and then help where you can.” – Counsell
  • “I feel really good about how we’re positioned for the future and beyond.” – Hoyer
  • “It’s always a little bit strange telling someone during the game that they’ve been traded. It was certainly surprising and shocking to Chris. He’s provided Cubs fans with a lot of memories, for sure, even in his short time here.” – Counsell
  • “[Morel] has an outlook and demeanor that makes it fun to be around him. He loves playing, and that joy, his outlook on life, it’s certainly his present no matter what’s going on. No matter how he’s playing, no matter how the team’s playing, no matter what’s going on, it’s indicated by how he treats people. He’s an example for all of us in that regard.” – Counsell
  • “Morel’s an awesome teammate and super-talented player. He loves the game; I think everyone can see that with the way he plays. It was a pleasure to be with him. We wish him nothing but the best. I think he’s going to get a real opportunity there and he’s going to be a really good player for a long time.” – Ian Happ

Monday Walk-Up Song

My favorite live Grateful Dead song and appropriate goodbye to Morel.

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterJuly 29, 2024
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