Mets Announce Intriguing Roster Move Ahead of Padres Game

Morel, 27, started the season with the Miami Marlins, appearing in 22 games before being designated for assignment. In 68 at-bats, he struck out 28 times while hitting just .162 with a .425 OPS.

The former prized prospect then signed a minor league deal with the Mets, where he's thrived since joining the organization.

In 31 games with Triple-A Syracuse, Morel has produced at a high level, hitting .321 with an otherworldly .716 slugging percentage. A massive power surge has fueled those numbers, with Morel crushing 12 home runs in just 109 at-bats.

While it's unclear how much playing time Morel will receive, he should get opportunities to prove himself over the final weeks of the season. He's not in the lineup Monday night, but with the Mets looking toward 2027, they have plenty of reason to see what he can provide.

Morel also remains under team control with two more years of arbitration eligibility following this season.

It wasn't all that many years ago that Morel looked like a potential future star with the Chicago Cubs. In his first two seasons in Chicago, he combined to hit 42 home runs.

But after a rough start to the 2024 season, the Cubs traded Morel to the Tampa Bay Rays as the headliner in a deal for third baseman Isaac Paredes.

Since then, the 27-year-old has struggled to reclaim his once-mighty power form, eventually leading to his DFA. But since donning the orange and blue, Morel has suddenly found another gear.

While the Mets have gotten hot lately, winning nine of their last 12 games, they remain well out of a playoff spot. New York is looking toward the future and determining who fits into its roster plans with an eye toward competing next season.

If Morel can carry his minor league production into the majors, the Mets may have found a diamond in the rough who can become a real impact player moving forward.