Cubs slugger Christopher Morel has been the subject of a lot of talk this offseason regarding trade possibilities. However, general manager Carter Hawkins and president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer played down any such ideas during a Q&A session with fans over the weekend at Cubs Convention (source via Marquee Sports’ Tim Stebbins). Regarding Morel conjecture, Hoyer used the term “zero basis in truth” multiple times. The slugger might not have a designated spot for the upcoming season, but he’ll probably be used all over the diamond, he continued.
Hoyer declared, “We’re going to have injuries all the time.” “[Versatility] is going to be necessary, and the more positions you can play, the better. He will have a significant effect on the group.
In fact, Morel’s name has been floating around the rumour mill a lot this winter, partly because he doesn’t have a stable defensive residence. Since Dansby Swanson joined the squad, Nico Hoerner has taken over at second base, which is his best position. Although Morel has experience playing all three outfield positions, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki are the Cubs’ established cornerbacks. Mike Tauchman, veteran
According to reports from the Chicago Tribune, ESPN, and USA Today, Morel’s name has at least come up in trade discussions.
It makes sense that Hoyer and Hawkins would challenge the story, especially in light of the context of their remarks. Fans who attend Cubs Convention in large numbers would be incensed at the idea of Morel being moved off. The athlete himself can also feel more at ease if he publicly rejects the idea of a trade. It’s now months into the offseason, and other
is a potential backup to top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong, who is regarded as one of the best defensive centre fielders in the game, but he is still in the mix for centre field. During winter ball, the Cubs have given Morel some looks at first base; however, that potential may be affected by their recent signing of Dodgers slugger Michael Busch.
Naturally, it should be mentioned that remarks made by Hoyer on the record earlier this winter have contributed to some of the conjecture surrounding Morel’s situation. Hoyer conceded that “another team might be able to put him [at second base]” while talking about his defensive home and the choice to give Morel some winter experience at first base, even though he never explicitly said that Morel was available in a trade or even that it was being explored. It’s understandable that many took the comment and started to contemplate the possibilities, even if, as we pointed out at the time, that’s far from a declaration a player is on the trade block. Throughout the winter, at different times, reports from the Clubs have undoubtedly contacted to ask about Morel. If nothing has caught their attention by now, it seems unlikely that anything new will be announced in the next few weeks. The Cubs probably have an idea of what the realistic alternatives would be. Although neither Hoyer nor Hawkins made it clear that Morel wouldn’t be traded, it was clear that such a thing was extremely unlikely.
The 24-year-old Morel has played in the major leagues for the Cubs during each of the previous two seasons, displaying both frightening swing-and-miss tendencies and significant power. The right-handed slugger has hit 42 home runs, 36 doubles, and seven triples in 854 plate appearances. He has also stolen 16 suitcases, but only after 25 attempts (64% success rate).
Morel doesn’t chase runners off the plate at an alarming rate; his 32.8% walk rate is less than 1% over the league average of 31.9% in 2023. Morel has walked at a pace that is about average. But Morel’s ability to make contact is questionable. In 31.6% of his MLB plate appearances, he has struck out, and his contact percentages on pitches outside the strike zone and off the plate are both more than ten percentage points below the league average. 64.5% of pitches made by Morel were received within
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