Christopher Morel is no longer a member of the Chicago Cubs. During the game on Sunday, the Cubs traded Morel to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.
After leaving Kauffman Stadium, Morel posted a message on his Instagram Story to Chicago fans.
Here's his full message:
"Right now I can't think or speak, tears are coming out, but my soul and my heart will always be in Chicago, Philippians 4:13"
He also made a tearful goodbye to his teammates in the dugout after he was removed from Sunday's game against the Kansas City Royals.
Local
According to multiple reports, not only will Morel be heading to Tampa as part of the trade, but two other Cubs prospects will be heading there, too. Relief pitching prospects Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson are also headed to the Rays, according to reports.
Paredes set career highs in home runs, RBIs, and batting average last season with the Rays, clobbering 31 home runs and driving in 98 RBIs in 143 games.
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter.
In 100 games so far this season, Paredes has 16 home runs and 55 RBIs, with a slash line of .247/.355/438. He also made his first career All-Star appearance for Tampa.
Paredes is under team control for three more seasons, and is earning $3.4 million this season for Tampa.
Morel has 18 home runs and 51 RBIs for the Cubs this season, slashing .199/.302/.374 in 420 total plate appearances.
We will update this story with additional details as they become available.
