Chicago Cubs trade for Eli Morgan and Matt Thaiss!

[@HariSeldon913]

Career ERA under 3? I looked him up when the trade was made and Morgan's career ERA is 3.97. Last year was great and hopefully he continues on that path.

[@antonio962]

I’m surprised the Cubs haven’t re-signed Lopez. He pitched pretty good for us last year. #Jed #Slacking

[@WolfsDE]

I like both moves. 1. Eli Morgan is a really good reliever. Everything about this move is a solid addition. The stats back this up. Is he the only addition needed for the pen? Nope. He is a good addition to make the pen better though. 2. Matt Thaiss, is solid as well. Not in the same sense, but as a stopgap backup catcher, I think this is a solid move. Maybe he even proves to be a better catcher than he has had a chance to show himself to be at this point. Overall it is a good move. One that that can be the stopgap until Ballestaros (sp?) is ready. I think the Cubs need 2-3 more moves to raise the ceiling into a possibility of post season play. I do think that these two moves help the team. Ballestaros, he is in Iowa. He is young, but by the all-star break, he could be starting for the Cubs. So, I am okay with Amaya and Thaiss for a short term deal. Then seeing how Amaya and Ballestaros can work as a duo.

[@ericisahalloffamer]

Not sure what Thaiss gets us but I dig the Eli Morgan move

[@chaswarrick6069]

We get another career .200 hitter!

[@gregthegroove]

I hate, can’t stand, strongly dislike, loathe the terms “on the margins, intelligent spending, back of his baseball card, financially responsible, financially fiscal, outplaying projections, come back around, back to the norm” and many, many similar other terms that spew from this cheapskate front office. JUST GO BUY what you need. Your the Cubs and own the central.

[@Gnar_Dogg]

I'm with you there. The fact Hoyer spews this stuff every chance he gets has made it spread to anyone who covers the team so you hear it even more. Not to mention Hoyer is actually pretty awful at doing the things he talks about.

[@robhansen6370]

Thaiss is the latest member of the Bum of the Month club at C and he turns 30 in May. Dalton Rushing would be a Move, this is kicking the tires on a car that doesn't run.

[@Georgeglinos-bh8wy]

Exactly! Jed collects 2's in the winter, hoping one pans out and if nothing else, gives us depth in the minors

[@d.j.8059]

"Bum of the Month Club"- Clark, that's the gift that keeps on giving.

[@MINNESOTA_PTSD]

@@d.j.8059 🎄 🎅 🪸

[@Dwayne4007]

Unless Thiass is a scott hattiberg or kevin millar and has something we don't see or others don't see but not likely

[@chicagodude8888]

Cheaper to trade for guys on their rookie deals than signing a free agent. They might be 10th in payroll but third in revenue.

[@everetttauscher8377]

Thanks for the show guys! LET'S GO CUBS!!! ⚾️✌️💙🐻

[@victorp2863]

Pablo Aliendo might be another catcher sollution for us, albeit more long term. Age 23, scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

[@edwardwilliams3185]

Matt Thais -Tucker Barnhart 2.0?

[@fbales]

Bottom line is the Cubs don’t spend wisely. Why would we think the Cubs would be anything other than a 2nd class team. I’ve been a Cubs fan for almost 65 years. I love the Cubs. We are the best fans in the world. We deserve better!

[@johnlenon8872]

Agree. They should have 4 young guys on the bench next year along with Tauchman.

[@Johnkoth]

​@@johnlenon8872They let Tauchman become a free agent

[@Gnar_Dogg]

I like the Morgan trade for sure. Extremely good barrel and hard hit % as well as great whiff rates on his offspeed stuff. Thaiss on the other hand I'm praying is just a depth move and isn't going to be their solution to pair with Amaya on opening day.

[@tomrockhill8634]

I like both moves. The catcher move leaves a straight path for Ballesteros and the pitcher adds affordable innings in the pen leaving more 💰 for Alonzo or Fried.

[@laylowe7528]

I wasn’t thinking about the Ballesteros angle…that makes me feel a lot better!!!

[@johnlenon8872]

The Cubs don't need a .240 hitter who strikes out 200 times a year, can't run, throw, catch, move, anything. He's Patrick Wisdom. If Wisdom got 600 ABs he would have 40 dingers or 35 and strike out a ton and hit .200 not the magical .240 of Alonso, who again, sucks. But he can hit a dinger.

[@laylowe7528]

@@johnlenon8872 saying Alonso sucks is clown speak…I wouldn’t want the Cubs to pay that price but he definitely doesn’t suck. (1) he’s NEVER struck out close to 200 times (2)he’s a career .250 hitter (3) career average of 38 bombs and 98 RBIs per year…definitely doesn’t suck!!🤣

[@johnlenon8872]

@@laylowe7528 He struck out 183 times last year and that's close to 200, and hit .240. He did have 34 bombs and 88 RBI. That is NOT a 200 million contract. In context, he sucks. Vladi makes 28 Mil next year and he's a FA after. He struck out half as much as Pete but hit 83 points higher with 30 dingers and 200 hits and drove in 100 and scored 100 and has a gold glove. That's in context for 200 million, not Pete whose also slow as hell and can't catch a cold. He brings NOTHING to the table besides striking out 200 times and hitting 34 bombs. Hard pass..

[@laylowe7528]

@@johnlenon8872 like I said…I’ll also pass on Alonso!!! But saying he sucks is dumb!!

[@JohnDePewIII-tn6ui]

Matt and Sam great show! When you're happy I'm happy. Thanks, Go Cubs!

[@Youngstomata]

I am SO locked on cubs

[@tinkutocqueville]

"this is where 83 happens" is brutal 😂😂😂

[@InvaderSqwid]

We cant forget about the potential traid with the Mariners. That has to be the #1 option for us as far as starting pitchers go. I rate most outcomes higher than Fried even due to how much younger and cheaper their arms are.

[@MINNESOTA_PTSD]

I love the assigning W/L to certain players via roster additions/subtractions. It’s fascinating. Say you’re a 7th inning RP. Not a setup man. But a guy any team would count on to be able to go out and get 3 outs in the 6th/7th inning on most nights. If you’re playing 40-45 one run games per year, the difference between having that pitcher available to pitch in 15-20/40 vs having to rely on more more questionable/unproven guys??? In a 1 run game ???? IS HUGE. Having that 1 pitcher vs NOT, can easily be the difference between winning or losing 4-5+ close games over 162. Hopefully he can be that guy.

[@MINNESOTA_PTSD]

- “If you look at the offense like a fancy car, the offensive line is the engine. Even though we might have nice spinners and nice rims and tinted windows and some neat paint job, it doesn’t mean crap without the engine. If the engine’s not working, the car might look like a pretty nice car, but it’s a piece of crap.” - MIKE TICE

[@mikestuhr2797]

The Cubs can’t get a catcher like the Bears can’t get a center.

[@rebth1st]

Anything below

[@GeorgiaandPete]

Let's not forget that Bellinger was hurt with broken ribs and a broken finger and still played pretty good.

[@cubsfan2016]

It's playoffs or Bust for Cubs FO

[@justinnoceda2115]

Chicago 83ers should he our new name for the next 100 years

[@julieboettcher5230]

I like the moves and we need pitching

[@iamrangers8351]

I think Cubs should go heavy for Fried or Snell.

[@johnlenon8872]

Fried and Sazaki and two guys who can throw in the 9th besides Hodge.

[@jamespullos8027]

You might as well have signed Daniel discelso

[@vincentwendt720]

The Cardinals' bench coach?

[@gonz702]

yea or how bout dusting off daniel murphy too

[@blkhawk51]

And it affects what exactly… spend some DANG $ Rickets!!!!!

[@liveanddieinchicagoliveand7074]

The ricketts family will spend when cubs fans make them by not showing up and saying enough is enough.

[@Chip-dg7wy]

Only things worth spending on are starting pitcher, catcher, and third base

[@donaldmiller7628]

If the cubs hire Mei can get them to the world series. Because jed and Tom needs help.

[@jamespullos8027]

What about a big bat for the lineup without that you got the same team and you ain't going to sniff the playoffs

[@Gnar_Dogg]

I'm not holding my breath on them adding to the offense. If they do it'll be with guys already in the org.

[@fbales]

Would you do a program on your favorite baseball (particularly Cubs) podcasts?

[@thejazzman210]

I predict that Madrigal and Mastrouboni are next out of the door. If they're going to be stuck with these middle of the road starters, the bench has got to be better. Much better. Getting rid of Wisdom was a nice start.

[@Johnkoth]

Madrigal is gone. Mastrouboni is still around I think

[@Johniewaterice]

Tricketts should be cool with those moves

[@julieboettcher5230]

Unfortunately Illinois got beat by Alabama........I was hoping that Illinois won

[@MINNESOTA_PTSD]

I miss cubs ⚾️

[@jtavegia5845]

Cubs love those .200 hitting catchers. He is not an upgrade over Ballesteros.

[@johnlenon8872]

Correct. Ballesteros and Betthancourt are the two catchers on the roster for me. Thaiss and Amaya can arm wrestle in Iowa.

[@babagaming7867]

Bethancourt > Thaiss

[@Dwayne4007]

but thiass is only 29 bethancourt doesn't have anything left he'll be playing indy ball in panama

[@Georgeglinos-bh8wy]

That's a big stretch. Bethancourt has a cannon of an arm. Thaiss doesn't but his arm is better than miggys.

[@retroextreme79]

I’m good with Eli Morgan but not crazy about Matt Thaiss. I’m not even crazy about Miguel Amaya being the opening day catcher. He would make a good backup, but not an everyday starter. With Moises in the minors, waiting to come up in the next year or two the Cubs should go to try to find a catcher with at least two years of team control via trade or a signing until Moises is ready to come up.

[@johnlenon8872]

Thaiss and Amaya in Iowa next year with Betthancourt and Ballesteros in Chicago.

[@sni6941]

Yes. Cubs bring back Jed if they win 91 games and missing postseason by one game & they did not go over the tax & PCA Shaw Cassie all being as projected & SP got hit by injury and Imanaga regressing a little & bullpen is solid with a definite closer.

[@musicmanharp4467]

Wow cubs make two huge moves. To get to the playoffs in 2025. How can the cardinals content with. Such a burst of cubness??????

[@marzix427]

If they don't sign Soto, they should just fire Hoyer and start another rebuild at this point.

[@liveanddieinchicagoliveand7074]

Jed not the owner,The ricketts won't allow it they are cheap. You can fire jed no matter who cubs bring in they will be handicapped by ricketts family.

[@marzix427]

Paying 45M to Happ and Suzuki is on Jed and that is preventing them more from signing Soto than Ricketts. I honestly do not think signing Soto and Fried would even guarantee winning the division.

[@jordansmith-q1r]

Getting Soto and Fried would win the division by alot. Possibly a 95 win team

[@Ksmskns]

​@@jordansmith-q1rSoto alone brings them to the high 80s minimum

[@RWildekrav66]

They’ve been rebuilding since 2019 , they’re happy to stay at a .500 ball club

[@joanshortall7333]

Do you think they will add Shaw to 40 man after the moves tomorrow?

[@Richdomhartv]

If they’re going to be cheap why not check into Louis Robert? He’s owed 8 mil this year with the next two years being club options. That’s the kind of player the cubs go for. He has 14 homers at wrigley in less than 50 games

[@iamrangers8351]

I don't see the big difference between Thaiss and Carson Kelly, especially when you take the salary is in consideration. Again, these two want to overspend $ for players, but say that's the issue... I think both trades are fine. I think a top line starting pitcher is the move this off season

[@scottemory72]

Why are the Cubs in love with pitch to contact guys? They need power arms who get K's.

[@joanshortall7333]

Betancourt is a better option than Thaiss

[@beokayian5378]

Morgan not the guy to bring in and strike people out.

[@jamespullos8027]

It's just a big party at Wrigley nobody gives a damn about winning or losing

[@d.j.8059]

Forgive me if I'm not thrilled by acquiring Eli Morgan after watching Hector "sub-2 ERA in 2023!" Neris pitch in 2024. Regression is a b.

[@joegaster34]

Saying this before I watch the full video, but... Who?

[@jasonlew8074]

Now sign Alonso.

[@dave-pm9bu]

Don't know anything about those two guys, if they can help its all the better.

[@Higs8091]

The catcher from LA is just depth. Morgan is the real story here. This is the kind of move they should've made last off season instead of signing Neris; the peripherals were not kind to him, but they were desperate. Giving up only a low A prospect for someone who was integral to Cleveland's bullpen last year is a steal. I agree with the caution line your guys said since Cleveland is so good at developing young pitching. Hopefully he works out and if not it's a really good low cost, really high upside move

[@Chip-dg7wy]

We need about five moves like this every year to constantly fill the bullpen

[@Higs8091]

@Chip-dg7wy In principle I agree. Probably more like 3 plus homegrown pitchers and then if they're "in the running" late in the season, trade for a stud i.e. Chapman in 2016 or Seawald for the D'backs in 2023

[@d.j.8059]

"This is the kind of move they should've made last off season instead of signing Neris". It's very likely Eli Morgan regresses to being a 3.50 ERA reliever in 2025, just like Neris did to a 3.87 one in 2024.

[@Johnkoth]

​@@Chip-dg7wyand we got alot of good relievers in the minors but they're 6 inning and 7 inning guys mostly

[@Chip-dg7wy]

@ way I see it you need eight or ten at the start of the year to have three or four clicking at the end.

[@peteschultz4868]

Matt Thaiss is a poor man's Patrick Wisdom. Thats how bad he is.

[@scottspence9178]

Indians are just so good so they didn’t need him. Please

[@Chip-dg7wy]

Indians know relievers are up and down and they’ll get the most out of the next guy too. Trade em after a great year.

[@mikestuhr2797]

Belly is a 275 23. 85 with good defense. So unless getting much better no reason to trade.

[@Chip-dg7wy]

Except maybe cost

[@kanderko9449]

Two cheap adds that in all likelihood won’t pan out.

[@jms3261]

Why do the Chicago teams get stuck with the worst Locked On hosts? Case in point this obnoxious fake Sam Olbur.....

[@johnlenon8872]

Yes, Thaiss is a depth play. Agree with Sam, Bethancourt to me is the starter next March. He demonstrated power, he can catch, and he as you said, has a rocket for an arm. What does Amaya really bring? He can't catch, he can't frame. I mean he catches a breaking ball at the bottom of the zone and instead of receiving it right where it lands? He moves his glove WAAAAAY down, catches it, his glove brushes the dirt, then he quickly raises his mitt to thigh high making it look like it was a strike. Of course that whole process took him about 8 seconds. It's called a ball but it was in fact a strike according to K zone. So he can't hit, run, throw, catch, or frame. AAA player. And the 2nd catcher is Ballesteros. Yes, Morgan will help. Cubs still need a real closer like Yates who has done it. Or Robertson. They need also a lefty arm. I am ok with Nick P as a starter but need Sazaki. Really need him. There are no clean up hitters on the market available. Pete is not worth 300 M and Soto is not affordable at 700 million. The Cubs have what they have. Have to hope Shaw provides that big bat or the AAA catcher does. And then see what the deadline brings provided they are not 40 and 50 lol. \

[@Chip-dg7wy]

Amaya frames better than Contreras did. Multiple times I remember Contreras running up a baseline catching a strike

[@johnlenon8872]

@@Chip-dg7wy Well maybe so but that's like saying one kid was skinnier than the next one but they are both at fat camp.

[@Chip-dg7wy]

@@johnlenon8872 😂 sorry I just can’t pass up a framing conversation without throwing out Wilsson

[@jamespullos8027]

Hoyer sucks

[@James-sd5mf]

😅Benthacor is ten times better ,look at his numbers c ompared to Thais .Like I said their cheap and crazy picking this guy Thais.This organization doesn't have any brains for players pitiful.😅 16:47

[@Dwayne4007]

Bethencourt is also ten times older. Bethencourt doesn't have another year like that in him

[@Johnkoth]

​@@Dwayne4007He plays better defense. As for Thasis he will be in the minors and the Cubs are still looking for a backup or starting catcher. So its obivous who is better. Thasis is a 3rd string catcher. Not a Backup on most teams.

[@Dwayne4007]

@Johnkoth we should get Jansen

[@James-sd5mf]

More cheap broken down no hit players for Rosario a top prospect pitiful.😅

[@TheCreepedPig]

#28 in guardians system

[@jordansmith-q1r]

Getting Morgan Is a nice pickup