Cleveland Guardians Trade Eli Morgan to Cubs Ahead of Non-Tender Deadline
CLEVELAND, Ohio — In a strategic move ahead of the non-tender deadline, the Cleveland Guardians traded four-year veteran Eli Morgan to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for minor league outfielder Alfonsin Rosario. The Guardians, looking to bolster their developing outfield while also clearing roster space, dealt a reliable arm from their bullpen, where they have established depth.
Morgan has been a serving contributor for the Guardians, particularly noted for his performance in the last season, where he posted a 1.93 ERA and was effective in the postseason. However, with promising young pitchers like Eric Sobrowski and Andrew Walters stepping up, Morgan found himself at risk of a roster crunch.
During a recent podcast, Guardians insiders Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga discussed the implications of the trade. They highlighted Rosario’s potential, despite being a 20-year-old player in the Class A league, where he showed signs of power with 16 home runs last season. The deal exemplifies the Guardians’ strategy of building a strong farm system while making thoughtful trades.
In addition to the trade, the Guardians received recognition for their pitching, with reliever Emmanuel Clase finishing third in the AL Cy Young voting behind Tarek Scubal and Seth Lugo. Clase’s performance last season cemented his reputation as a top reliever, garnering several votes from across the league.
As the Guardians approach the upcoming non-tender deadline, they aim to stay active and make meaningful decisions regarding players like Sam Hentges, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. The offseason is shaping up to be pivotal for Cleveland as they look to refine their roster further.
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