Chicago Cubs not moving Christopher Morel for Tyler Glasnow

In a tweet from Bob Nightengale last night, the Chicago Cubs are unwilling to move Christopher Morel in a one-for-one swap for Rays ace Tyler Glasnow - which lines up with what we've previously heard on that front.

This tweet is the opposite of what Nightengale said earlier on Tuesday: that Morel was being mentioned in talks for Glasnow, but at least we have some added clarification. It should not surprise anybody, but one year of Glasnow, who has had difficulty staying healthy throughout his career, in exchange for five years of Morel, who isn't even arbitration-eligible until 2026, would be highway robbery on the Rays' part.

Tampa Bay already has a fairly deep mix of infielders, and Morel shouldn't be Tampa's first choice, anyway. Tampa's rotation is fragile going into 2024, and they will want pitching more than anything. Shane McClanahan, Drew Rasmussen and Jeffrey Springs will be missing significant action in 2024, and losing Glasnow, the best remaining piece of their rotation, will put Tampa in a tough spot for next season.

Cubs know what they have in Christopher Morel - and won't trade him for one year of Tyler Glasnow

Therefore, the Morel for Glasnow rumor made very little sense in the first place. Nightengale, who didn't have a good Tuesday after getting blasted by Jed Hoyer for reporting false information on the Shohei Ohtani front, seems to be getting inaccurate information as of late. Still, none of it matters until Ohtani's name is no longer part of the free agent market because everything is at a standstill until he signs anyway.

Once Ohtani signs somewhere, with the Cubs or elsewhere, expect Jed Hoyer to pivot swiftly and rumors to ramp up immediately regarding the Tampa right-hander and other top names on the trade market. Glasnow is just one of many names the Cubs have been connected to recently. They have even been reconnected to Juan Soto if they miss on Ohtani.

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