MIAMI -- The Marlins agreed to terms with Christopher Morel on a one-year deal to be a first-base option, sources told MLB.com on Friday afternoon.
The club did not confirm the report.
Once a top prospect known for his power bat, Morel is considered a low-risk, high-reward flyer. He is a .222/.299/.415 career hitter with 9.0% walk and 30.4% strikeout rates, 63 doubles, 10 triples, 74 homers, 210 RBIs and 31 steals in 477 games from 2022-25 with the Cubs and Rays.
Morel’s best Major League stint came in his first two seasons (2022-23), when he combined for 2.5 bWAR, 42 homers and 117 RBIs in 220 games. Chicago later dealt Morel to Tampa Bay ahead of the 2024 Trade Deadline, and he produced negative bWAR the remainder of that season (-0.8) and in ’25 (-0.3) while appearing in 154 games for the Rays. He put together a slash line of just .208/.277/.355 with 14 homers and 42 RBIs, which led to the Rays non-tendering him.
Even still, Morel’s 11 homers in 2025 would’ve been fourth most on a Marlins club that slugged the fourth fewest in the Majors (154).
The 26-year-old Morel, who has appeared in all three outfield spots, second, third and short, will mostly play first base -- a position he has never manned in his professional career. New infield coach Blake Butler will be tasked with helping Morel. The Marlins looked to upgrade at the position after their first basemen combined for a .663 OPS in 2025 (fourth-lowest mark in the Majors).
Miami’s 40-man roster already had first-base options in Eric Wagaman (86 OPS+), catcher Liam Hicks (94 OPS+) and infielder Graham Pauley (88 OPS+). The club also recently told corner outfielder Griffin Conine (101 OPS+) that he may get reps there during the spring. The Marlins stress defensive versatility to give manager Clayton McCullough flexibility with matchups and in-game decisions. By inking Morel to a short-term deal, it doesn’t block Marlins No. 22 prospect Deyvison De Los Santos should he prove to be ready. It also bides him more time to develop at Triple-A Jacksonville.
The right-handed-hitting Morel also could see action in the outfield, which is left-handed-hitting heavy with All-Star Kyle Stowers, Jakob Marsee and Conine, as well as at third base, where Connor Norby will try to win the starting job over Pauley.