Cubs Rumors: Dansby Swanson says relax
The Cubs lost their first two games against the struggling St. Louis Cardinals in Willson Contreras's return to Wrigley Field. Contreras and the Cards entered that series with a drama-filled weekend, which includes the former All-Star catcher switching positions from backstop to DH. That position switch included rumors of a corner outfield opening, but that was quickly put to bed by Oli Marmol.
After a fast start to the season, fans on the north side are starting to panic. The Cubs are two games below .500, but shortstop Dansby Swanson has preached patience:
"It's a lot of close games, a lot of things that if it kind of falls in our way, we're not having this conversation," Swanson said, per The Athletic (subscription required). "It's so easy to kind of — I don't want to say overreact — but it's so easy to say, 'What's wrong? What's wrong?' We're all for making adjustments where things need to be adjusted. We're just going to continue to go out and do what we do. The teams I've been on that have been successful, that's the mentality: You show up tomorrow and go about your business the same way and things will start to work in our favor."
Swanson has been through this before, even winning a World Series with the Atlanta Braves. Known as 'The Sheriff' in the ATL, Dansby already has the respect of his Cubs teammates. If fans are smart, they'll listen to him as well.
Cubs Rumors: Don't waste Christopher Morel
Chicago Cubs prospect Christopher Morel was called up after getting off to a tremendous start at the team's spring training facility and then the minor leagues. In his age-22 season, Morel struggled late in the season, slashing .163/.238/.340/63 wRC+ after July 25. Even should Morel not make a major impression for the majority of the year, his youth and enthusiasm is needed for a Chicago team struggling of late. As much as Dansby Swanson preaches patience, something has to change.
Morel hit a game-tying home run on Tuesday night, knotting the game at four runs apiece in the bottom of the sixth inning. He had two hits on the night, and should receive some playing time now that Nico Hoerner suffered a minor injury. Morel has the bat to hang in the major leagues. His glove is capable enough, as well, though he has a tendency to slip into slumps, as his disappointing second half in 2022 suggests.
David Ross did tell the Chicago Tribune that Morel's path to everyday at-bats isn't as clear. However, he's noticed major improvements in his swing:
"One thing I know about Mo is he's going to be ready when I put his name in the lineup. He's going to be ready when I call his name off the bench. There's a lot of guys that have long resumes, have earned playing time and earned contracts and earned a lot of things that are there. As a young player, you understand that but you've also got to stay ready for your opportunity, and Mo will do that," Ross said.
For now, Morel will remain in the lineup until Hoerner is back at a regular basis, or until his hot start fades into the night.
Cubs Rumors: Could Aroldis Chapman come back?
The Cubs traded their top prospect at the time, Gleyber Torres, for then-Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman. In 2016, Chapman was a force in the Cubs bullpen, which helped the team win its first World Series in over a century.
Chicago may not be at that point just yet, but if they're in a position of success by the trade deadline, acquiring Chapman (who is on an expiring contract) makes a lot of sense as a rental. Cubbies Crib noted this in a recent column:
"Who doesn't like a little reunion? Former Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman has reemerged as a lockdown guy in his first month with the Kansas City Royals. In 11 outings this year, Chapman has a 1.74 ERA an 19 strikeouts over 10 innings. Perhaps most importantly, Chapman's velocity seems to have returned to his usual triple-digit level. He is showing signs of his former power pitching levels and the Cubs should consider giving the Royals a prospect or two to bring Champman back to Chicago."
But what would that trade look like? I took a swing at that portion, though it's important to note that the ebbs and flows of said negotiations aren't my expertise.
As I suggested a few days ago, Wicks is the Cubs No. 5 prospect, as the four in front of him are in MLB Pipeline's top-100 prospect rankings. The only way Chicago would consider trading one of them would be a one-for-one swap, and the Royals likely want several prospects in return for Chapman. Wicks is capable and major-league ready. Canario isn't far behind, and he's stashed in Chicago's system given their top-3 prospects are all outfielders.
Gray is only 19 years old and has plenty of room for growth. He's the sleeper of this deal, and could work out in the long haul for Kansas City.
It's a bit of a longshot, but who doesn't love a good reunion?
