The New York Mets continued to shake up their revolving roster on Monday. New York promoted Christopher Morel to the MLB roster before beginning a three-game series against the San Diego Padres. The Mets made room by designating Gabriel Arias for assignment.
Morel had the makings of an intriguing player when he notched 16 home runs and 10 stolen bases as a rookie for the Chicago Cubs in 2022. He belted 26 home runs with an .810 OPS in 107 games the following year, but the utility man has since struggled to find that same groove. The Cubs jettisoned Morel during the 2024 season, which he finished batting .196.
He hit .219/.289/.396 with a 35.7% strikeout rate for the Tampa Bay Rays last year and went 11-for-68 with 28 strikeouts with the Miami Marlins before getting DFA'd in June. Morel has swung a hot bat since signing a minor league contract with the Mets last month. Before Monday's call-up, the 27-year-old was hitting .321/.382/.716 with 12 home runs in 31 games at Triple-A Syracuse.
Although he's played every position other than catcher during his five-year career, Morel focused on first base for the Marlins this season. The right-hander could stay there to fill the short end of a platoon with the left-handed Jared Young. Arias didn't last long with the Mets, who claimed him off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians on Aug. 7.
The 26-year-old infielder went 0-for-5 with a strikeout in two games, lowering his season OPS to .645. The Mets have won nine of 12 games since moving several veterans at the trade deadline, but they remain 11 games away from a National League wild-card spot after sweeping the Washington Nationals.
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