Earlier in the day, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and his team executed a notable trade with the Cleveland Guardians, acquiring relief pitcher Eli Morgan. This strategic move aims to bolster a bullpen that faced significant challenges during the 2024 season, underscoring the Cubs’ commitment to improvement.
In further moves to enhance their roster, the Cubs executed a second transaction. According to a report from Jesse Rogers of ESPN, the team has successfully acquired catcher Matt Thaiss from the Los Angeles Angels, signaling their intent to solidify the catcher position.
The Cubs make another trade today, with the Angels for catcher Matt Thaiss. For cash considerations. To make room, they DFA’d pitcher Trey Wingenter.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) November 20, 2024
The 29-year-old Thaiss will now have an opportunity to carve out a role with the Cubs, likely stepping in as the primary backup to rising star Miguel Amaya behind the plate.
During the 2024 season, Thaiss appeared in 57 games for the Angels, managing a modest two home runs along with 16 RBI, and finishing the season with a slash line of .204/.323/.299.
He had a much bigger role with Los Angeles in 2023, playing in 95 games and hitting nine home runs to go along with 31 RBI. He hit for a slash line of .214/.319/.340 in that season, which again doesn’t move the needle much.
Still, the Cubs accomplished their goal of upgrading the catcher position, something they set out to do this winter.
Now, fans will sit back and hope Chicago goes out and makes a splash move or two in free agency, potentially landing impactful players to further strengthen the team’s chances for success.
**Interview with Baseball Analyst Alex B. on Cubs’ Recent Trades**
**Editor:** Welcome, Alex! The Chicago Cubs made a couple of significant trades today, acquiring relief pitcher Eli Morgan from the Cleveland Guardians and catcher Matt Thaiss from the Los Angeles Angels. What do you think these moves say about the Cubs’ strategy moving forward?
**Alex B.:** Thanks for having me! These trades are very telling about the Cubs’ intent to strengthen their roster for next season. Acquiring Eli Morgan is particularly crucial considering how much the bullpen struggled earlier this year. Adding a pitcher like Morgan, who has shown potential in his previous seasons, indicates that the front office is serious about improving their late-game performance.
**Editor:** Exactly. Morgan is known for his versatility as a reliever. How do you see him fitting into the Cubs’ bullpen rotation?
**Alex B.:** Morgan has the capability to bring stability and depth. He can pitch multiple innings if needed, which could be a huge asset for a bullpen that faced numerous challenges throughout the 2024 season. By adding him, the Cubs may be looking to create a more reliable late-game scenario, something that has been a significant hurdle for them.
**Editor:** And what about the acquisition of Matt Thaiss? How does that affect their catcher position?
**Alex B.:** Thaiss adds a fresh dynamic behind the plate. Given that the Cubs have had some inconsistency and injury issues at the catcher position, bringing in a player like Thaiss enhances their depth and flexibility. He has shown good offensive potential in the minor leagues, and if he can translate that to the major league level, he could be a valuable contributor.
**Editor:** Do you think these moves indicate a broader trend for the Cubs, perhaps a shift in their competitive outlook for the upcoming season?
**Alex B.:** Absolutely. These trades signal a commitment to improvement and a desire to compete more vigorously in 2025. By addressing specific weaknesses, like the bullpen and catcher, the Cubs are not only aiming to be more competitive but are also signaling to their fan base that they are actively investing in the team’s future success.
**Editor:** Thanks for your insights, Alex! It will be interesting to see how these players contribute to the Cubs’ performance next season.
**Alex B.:** My pleasure! I’m looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.
