Report: Cubs trading for standout reliever, Patrick Wisdom has been DFA'ed |
The Chicago Cubs are adding some much-needed bullpen help by acquiring right-handed reliever Eli Morgan from the Cleveland Guardians for 20-year-old outfield prospect Alfonsin Rosario.
ESPN's Jeff Passan was the first to report the news. Morgan was impressive last season with a 3-0 record with a 1.93 ERA. He has a career 3.23 ERA in 173 innings as a reliever and a 3.97 ERA overall in four seasons. In nine career postseason appearances, he is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA (2 ER/7.1 IP). In other Cubs roster news, the Cubs have opened up a 40-man roster spot by DFA'ing veteran infielder Patrick Wisdom. Rosario, 20, a sixth-round pick of the Cubs in 2023 out of the P27 Academy in Lexington, S.C., appeared in 109 games for Single-A Myrtle Beach in 2024, batting .230 (88-for-383) with 18 doubles, four triples, 16 home runs, 73 RBI and a .767 OPS. Wisdom hit .171 with eight homers and 23 RBIs in 158 at-bats this past season. He hit 84 home runs in 414 games across parts of five seasons with the Cubs. In 454 career major league games, he is hitting .209 (274-for-1,311) with 58 doubles, three triples, 88 home runs, 207 RBI and a .750 OPS. The Cubs saved around $2 million by swapping the projected arbitration salaries of Wisdom ($3 mil) for Morgan ($1 mil). More to come on this breaking news story. Can confirm @JeffPassan report that Cubs have acquired RH reliever Eli Morgan from Cleveland. Morgan isn't a power arm, but a solid middle relief arm. Well-rounded arsenal, strong change. Won't wow you, but gets the job done and can do multi-inning stints. A-ball player is return The Cubs are acquiring RHP Eli Morgan, per reports. Side note to the Cubs clubhouse: They lost two of the best guys in there in Kyle Hendricks and now Patrick Wisdom. Good dudes. Wisdom will land somewhere. Reliever Barrel% Leaderboard in 2024:
Morgan had a 1.93 ERA in 32 games with Cleveland in 2024. pic.twitter.com/TLpoDOGtCC
1. Aaron Bummer: 1.3%
2. Tim Hill: 1.7%
3. ELI MORGAN: 2.5%
League average: 7.3%