The Miami Marlins have agreed to terms with Christopher Morel on a one-year contract to serve as a first-base option, according to sources. The 26-year-old infielder and outfielder joins the team after stints with the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays. The deal remains unconfirmed by the Marlins.
The Miami Marlins are adding versatility to their infield by signing Christopher Morel to a one-year deal, sources informed MLB.com on Friday afternoon. Morel, a former top prospect known for his power potential, brings a low-risk, high-reward profile to the club. His career statistics include a .222/.299/.415 slash line, with 9.0% walk rate and 30.4% strikeout rate, across 477 games from 2022-25 with the Cubs and Rays. He recorded 63 doubles, 10 triples, 74 home runs, 210 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases during that span.
Morel's strongest performance came in his initial MLB seasons of 2022-23, where he posted 2.5 bWAR, 42 home runs, and 117 RBIs in 220 games for Chicago. Traded to Tampa Bay before the 2024 Trade Deadline, his production dipped, yielding negative bWAR (-0.8 in late 2024 and -0.3 in 2025) over 154 games. He slashed .208/.277/.355 with 14 home runs and 42 RBIs, leading to his non-tender by the Rays.
Despite recent struggles, Morel's 11 home runs in 2025 would rank fourth on the Marlins' roster, which ranked fourth-lowest in the majors with a .663 OPS from first basemen. Primarily an outfielder and infielder experienced at second, third, and shortstop, Morel will transition to first base—a position new to his professional career—under the guidance of new infield coach Blake Butler.
The Marlins emphasize defensive flexibility for manager Clayton McCullough. Current options at first include Eric Wagaman (86 OPS+), Liam Hicks (94 OPS+), Graham Pauley (88 OPS+), and potentially Griffin Conine (101 OPS+). Morel's right-handed bat could also fill outfield spots amid lefty-heavy competition from Kyle Stowers, Jakob Marsee, and Conine, or third base where Connor Norby vies with Pauley. The short-term pact avoids blocking prospect Deyvison De Los Santos, ranked No. 22, allowing development time at Triple-A Jacksonville.