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The Eli Morgan trade was one of the first moves the Chicago Cubs made last offseason, and it has not aged well. An elbow injury has derailed Morgan's first season with the Cubs, not being seen at the Major League level since his last appearance on April 14. Not that the Cubs have missed Morgan, who posted an ERA of 12.27 in 7 1/3 innings pitched. In what has become a theme for Jed Hoyer's front office, the Cubs dealt a high-ceiling Class-A prospect, outfielder Alfonsin Rosario, to the Cleveland Guardians, and it seems Rosario has had the breakout season many felt was coming.
While highlighting a prospect from each team with a rising stock, the prospect experts at MLB.com pointed to Rosario as the name to watch for the Guardians.
"Acquired from the Cubs in a trade for Eli Morgan in November, Rosario features some of the best all-around tools in the system (well-above-average raw power and arm strength, and plus speed) and is making better use of them now that he's toned down his approach a bit. He's slashing .269/.365/.489 with a High-A Midwest League-leading 16 homers and 12 steals in 82 games."
The Guardians' latest prospect jump could doom the Cubs’ Eli Morgan gamble
When it comes to Hoyer's front office, there is prospect-hugging and then trading a prospect too early. While Hoyer's approach at the MLB trade deadline could be viewed as prospect hugging, a scenario like the one that played out for Rosario has become far too common for the Cubs' front office.
Given the outfield outlook for the Cubs at the Major League level and having Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara at Triple-A, it seemed likely that Rosario was going to become a trade chip sooner or later for the front office. Given his surge in the Guardians' system this season, and the 2025 season of Morgan has been wasted, the case can be made that the Cubs traded Rosario too early. That may not have entirely changed the circumstances for the Cubs at this season's deadline, but perhaps, it would have landed them Charlie Morton instead of Michael Soroka.
Morgan is believed to be throwing off a mound, but has yet to start a minor-league rehab assignment. At this rate, it's possible he may not return to the Major League level this season.