Cubs Land All-Star Third Baseman Isaac Paredes in Blockbuster Trade
In a significant mid-season move, the Chicago Cubs have acquired All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays. The deal sees Christopher Morel, Hunter Bigge, and Ty Johnson heading to Tampa Bay in exchange for Paredes, a player whose trajectory has been on the rise this season.
Paredes made an impact earlier in the day with a 0-for-2 performance and a walk in a victory over the Cincinnati Reds before the trade was announced. Currently, he’s hitting .245/.357/.435 with 16 home runs. His impressive contributions at the plate and solid defensive skills earned him a spot as the Rays' All-Star representative earlier this month.
This marks a homecoming of sorts for Paredes, who originally signed with the Cubs as an international amateur free agent out of Mexico in 2015. His journey through Major League Baseball has seen him traded to the Detroit Tigers in 2017, where he eventually made his debut. Paredes oscillated between the majors and minors from 2020 to 2021 before being traded to the Rays prior to the 2022 season for Austin Meadows.
For the Cubs, currently sporting a 50-56 record and sitting six games out of a wild-card spot, this acquisition aims to bolster their lineup and defensive consistency at third base. An insider noted, "Clearly, the Cubs believe Paredes' extreme pulled fly-ball approach will translate well to Wrigley Field, and they also get a capable third baseman defensively."
In contrast, Christopher Morel, who heads to the Rays, has had a challenging season with a slash line of .199/.302/.372 and 18 home runs. His defensive metrics at third base have also been a point of concern, ranking last among all players with minus-12 outs above average. However, Morel remains a controlled asset through 2028, offering potential long-term upside for Tampa Bay.
Hunter Bigge, 26, and Ty Johnson, 22, bring youthful vigor to the Rays' pitching prospects. Bigge made his MLB debut earlier this season, showing promise with a 1.17 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings in the minors. Johnson, on the other hand, has impressed in Single-A with a 3.54 ERA and 81 strikeouts over 61 innings.
The Rays, currently 54-52 and 3.5 games back of a wild-card spot, have been active in the trade market recently, dealing away notable players like Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, and Jason Adam. This latest trade fits within their broader strategy of acquiring young talent while managing current roster flexibility.
The Cubs' front office appears to be banking on Paredes' ability to harness his power at hitter-friendly Wrigley Field. Beyond his solid offensive numbers, Paredes’ defensive reliability at third is expected to help tighten up the Cubs' infield defense, an area that has been a sore spot this season.
Tampa Bay, known for its player development success, will look to refine Morel's game while integrating Bigge and Johnson into their system. Both pitchers have demonstrated potential and could prove to be valuable additions for the Rays moving forward.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how this trade impacts both teams' performances and playoff aspirations. For the Cubs, acquiring Paredes may signify a push towards contention, while the Rays continue to build for sustained success amidst a competitive AL East.