Cubs Acquire All-Star Third Baseman Isaac Paredes from Rays
In a significant midseason shakeup, the Chicago Cubs have acquired All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Christopher Morel, Hunter Bigge, and Ty Johnson. This trade marks a return to the Cubs' roster for Paredes, who originally signed with the team as an international amateur free agent out of Mexico in 2015.
Paredes, who made his Major League Baseball debut with the Detroit Tigers, has built a notable career since being traded to Detroit in 2017. After fluctuating between the majors and minors for a couple of seasons, he was traded to the Rays before the 2022 season in exchange for Austin Meadows. Paredes has been a consistent performer ever since, culminating in his selection as the Rays' All-Star representative earlier this month. This season, he is hitting .245/.357/.435 with 16 home runs, numbers that surely appeal to the Cubs' management.
Immediate Impact on the Field
In his last game for the Rays, Paredes played in a win over the Cincinnati Reds, posting a 0 for 2 performance with a walk. His skills at third base are expected to solidify the Cubs' infield defense. 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." This combination of offensive potential and reliable defense is something the Cubs have been seeking.
The move comes as the Cubs find themselves in a challenging position in the standings. Currently 50-56 and six games out of a wild-card spot, the team is looking to make strategic changes that could spark a turn-around. Paredes' addition is a clear indication of their intent to build a stronger lineup for the remainder of the season.
The Departing Players
In return, the Cubs are parting with Christopher Morel, a powerful but inconsistent hitter who is slashing .199/.302/.372 with 18 home runs this season. Despite his slugging potential, Morel ranks last among all players with minus-12 outs above average at third base, a defensive metric that indicates significant struggles in the field. He will remain under team control through 2028, giving the Rays a long-term prospect to develop.
Hunter Bigge, one of the other players heading to Tampa Bay, is a 26-year-old pitcher who made his MLB debut earlier this season. He boasts a 1.17 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings in the minors, showing promise as a future bullpen asset. Alongside him, Ty Johnson, a 22-year-old pitcher with a 3.54 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 61 innings in Single-A, adds another young arm to the Rays' growing collection of pitching prospects.
Rays' Recent Movements
The Rays are currently 54-52 and 3.5 games back of a wild-card spot themselves. Their decision to trade Paredes comes amidst other significant moves, including trades involving Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, and Jason Adam. It seems the Rays are focusing on retooling their lineup and pitching staff to better position themselves for a playoff run.
For the Cubs, this trade is a gamble that acquiring a consistent All-Star like Paredes will provide the boost needed to close the gap in the wild-card race. It demonstrates their commitment to improving both their offensive and defensive capabilities in a bid to make a late-season push.
The remainder of the season will reveal whether this trade pays off for both teams. As it stands, the Cubs have made a bold move, betting on Paredes to be a key piece in their puzzle moving forward. Fans of both teams will be watching closely as the new acquisitions take to the field, each hoping their front office has made the right call.