Cubs Still Looking For Catcher & Relief Help

[Bertz]

The Cubs on Wednesday added reliever Eli Morgan from the Guardians and catcher Matt Thaiss from the Angels.  According to The Athletic the Cubs are still looking to further bolster both areas of the roster.

Morgan not being the only planned reliever add this offseason is not surprising considering how often Jed Hoyer has used the word "depth" when discussing the bullpen.  Matt Thaiss at catcher was a little more ambiguous, though the team is thin at catcher in AAA as well so it's a position that could use some depth as well.

Quote

According to a league source, the addition of Morgan does not indicate the end of the Cubs’ search for relievers. The same should be said about the Cubs’ catching situation after they acquired Matt Thaiss from the Los Angeles Angels for cash Wednesday. The Cubs saw an opportunity to grab Thaiss — the Angels have Logan O’Hoppe as their starter and just signed Travis d’Arnaud — at a low cost and pounced. But they will continue to look to upgrade the spot.

Given that the Cubs have not yet spent significant money this winter, paired with neither position moving much yet in free agency (with the notable exception of Travis d'Arnaud), any player the team was eying before Wednesday's moves is likely still on the table.

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[Jason Ross]

Good to see. Most of this felt like the likely outcome, but nice to see Sharma and Mooney reiterate it. 

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, 1908_Cubs said:

Good to see. Most of this felt like the likely outcome, but nice to see Sharma and Mooney reiterate it. 

Agreed. I think more people who are worried Thaiss is going to be his last move at catcher need to read this. It was just a small move for depth. Doesn’t change anything about the off season.