Christopher Morel Drawing Trade Interest

Pretty interesting. Starting to really think Soto/Morel has some legs here. While this article isn't specific in who/what/where for Christopher Morel, it's another sign that the Cubs are okay with using Morel there. Added with Levine and Cerami there's probably some smoke. Not enough for me to go predicting it, but Sharma is incredibly reliable, and I have to think this isn't a coincidence based on everything else.

Based on the Soto thread, I think some people are going to be disappointed in the return he brings back. If they're set on dealing him, Seattle is the perfect spot. They need bats and have pitching and Woo/Miller are likely available.

What about keeping Morel and trading Nico? 

23 minutes ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

What about keeping Morel and trading Nico? 

It would have to be one crazy scenario for me to be in remotely interested in something like that.

23 hours ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

What about keeping Morel and trading Nico? 

In light of the Counsell signing I contemplated what the next out of left field move could be and trading Nico bubbled to the top. To be absolutely clear I am not advocating for him to be traded.  If I squint I can see the argument that the power is what we've seen; the SBs could - as they can -  quickly fade; the lack of patience could lead to an increased exploitation by pitchers resulting in a drop in BA/OBP to the point that he's not someone that's going to be signed to a big contract when the time comes so why not strike when value is high.

1 hour ago, chopsx9 said:

In light of the Counsell signing I contemplated what the next out of left field move could be and trading Nico bubbled to the top. To be absolutely clear I am not advocating for him to be traded.  If I squint I can see the argument that the power is what we've seen; the SBs could - as they can -  quickly fade; the lack of patience could lead to an increased exploitation by pitchers resulting in a drop in BA/OBP to the point that he's not someone that's going to be signed to a big contract when the time comes so why not strike when value is high.

In today's game its really hard to find contact bats who aren't completely punch-less.  With that in mind I'd be very reticent to move Hoerner. 

Now Matt Shaw looks like he might the kind of guy who could hit 20 homers with a strikeout rate hovering around 15%, and his best position is probably going to be 2B.  So when he's ready maybe we talk, but I feel like dumping Nico to accommodate another bat with tons of power and tons of swing and miss would be a mistake.

Also Nico just signed a pre-FA extension, which on top of being a bad look if they traded him is a pretty strong indicator of what the front office thinks of his fit on the team.  And you have to earmark one of 3 non-C bench roles for someone capable of playing SS without him.  I know we're playing thought experiments moreso than advocating for it, but zero chance they'd go the route of trading Nico to make room for Morel.

41 minutes ago, Bertz said:

but I feel like dumping Nico to accommodate another bat with tons of power and tons of swing and miss would be a mistake.

I know this is a Morel thread but I'm not thinking that the trade would be to accommodate Morel first and foremost.   I think Morel may allow them to contemplate trading Nico in the right deal.  SD comes along and says they want Nico, Triantos and Drew Gray for Soto.  Might not fit for SD in the real world but you get the idea.

I wouldn’t give SD Nico, Triantos and Drew Gray for 1 year of Soto.