Cubs acquire reliever Morgan

One of the main goals for Cubs president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, this offseason is to enhance bullpen depth. Early-season struggles within the relief corps last year led to a chain reaction of issues that took months to resolve.

On Wednesday, the Cubs made a significant move in this direction by acquiring reliever Eli Morgan from the Guardians in exchange for outfield prospect Alfonsin Rosario, who is ranked No. 21 on the Cubs’ Top 30 prospects list by Pipeline. To make room on the 40-man roster, infielder Patrick Wisdom was designated for assignment.

“Our bullpen numbers in the second half of the season were exceptionally strong, ranking among the best in baseball,” Hoyer said at the end of the season. “But at critical moments when our relievers struggled and were injured early on, we didn’t have sufficient depth, and that hurt us. Addressing this issue is a priority.”

Morgan, a 28-year-old right-hander, brings four years of major league experience from Cleveland’s bullpen and is under team control for the next three seasons. This offseason marks his first eligibility for arbitration, and he also has one Minor League option remaining, adding valuable flexibility.

Beyond logistical advantages, Morgan is coming off his best major league season. He posted a 1.93 ERA and limited opponents to a .194 batting average over 42 innings. His fastball averaged 92.2 mph, though it ranked in the 21st percentile according to Statcast. Nevertheless, Morgan's repertoire includes a plus changeup and an above-average slider, which became his primary secondary pitch in 2024 with a 32.8% whiff rate.

​This acquisition represents a strategic step forward for the Cubs as they aim to strengthen their bullpen and ensure better depth and resilience for the upcoming season.