The Cubs and Guardians are in settlement on a commerce sending right-hander Eli Morgan from Cleveland to Chicago, experiences Jeff Passan of ESPN. Chicago is designating infielder Patrick Knowledge for project to open area on the 40-man roster, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers provides.
Morgan, 28, isn’t a family title however nonetheless represents a notable addition to the Chicago aid corps. The previous eighth-round choose is contemporary off a terrific season in Cleveland, having posted a 1.93 ERA in 42 frames out of the bullpen. Morgan was the beneficiary of a microscopic .222 common on balls in play and a bloated 85.2% strand price, each of which function a portent for some ERA regression. Nevertheless, he’s been a top quality reliever for the previous three seasons, working to a mixed 3.27 ERA in 176 innings for the Guards.
Morgan did see his strikeout price verify in at a career-low 20.4% this previous season, which is one thing of a purple flag. The first perpetrator has been a drop in swinging strikes towards his four-seamer, although he hasn’t misplaced a lot in the way in which of velocity on the pitch. Morgan nonetheless racks up loads of whiffs along with his slider and changeup, and that pair of secondary choices has helped him to maintain each righties and lefties off stability in his four-year MLB profession. Even with the dip in punchouts — Morgan fanned 28.1% of his opponents in 2022 and 25.1% in 2023 — he maintained sturdy command, issuing a stroll to solely 6.6% of opponents.
For the Cubs, Morgan shall be a multi-year possibility within the ’pen — and an inexpensive one at that. He’s managed for one more three seasons and is projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn simply $1MM this coming season. His position in Chicago will decide the extent to which his price ticket rises over the subsequent few seasons — saves are compensated extra in arbitration than center aid work, for example — however the Cubs will probably pay fewer than $10MM for the three years of service they’re buying.
Extra to return.