Cubs Acquire All-Star Isaac Paredes in Major Trade Deal with Rays
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. This blockbuster trade is expected to have large implications for both teams as they navigate the latter part of the season.
Paredes, who was an All-Star representative for the Rays earlier this month, is a strong addition to the Cubs' roster. Known for his impressive pulled fly-ball approach and solid defensive skills at third base, Paredes comes with a .245/.357/.435 slash line and 16 home runs this season. The Cubs are banking on his performance to help them improve their standing as they currently sit at 50-56, six games out of a wild-card spot.
"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," noted an insider, highlighting the strategic aspect of the trade for Chicago.
Earlier in the day, Paredes played in a win over the Cincinnati Reds, finishing 0 for 2 with a walk. This marked his final appearance for the Rays, where he had fluctuated between the majors and minors since 2020 before establishing himself as a solid MLB presence. Notably, Paredes originally signed with the Cubs as an international amateur free agent out of Mexico in 2015 and made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers after being traded in 2017.
The Cubs are not just gaining a valuable player but also parting ways with significant talent. Christopher Morel, a dynamic player slashing .199/.302/.372 with 18 home runs this season, has had his struggles, especially defensively. He ranks last among all players with minus-12 outs above average at third base, an area the Cubs will hope Paredes can stabilize. Morel, however, remains under team control through 2028, giving the Rays a long-term asset.
Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson add further depth to the Rays' pitching prospects. Bigge, 26, made his MLB debut earlier this season and has impressed with a 1.17 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings in the minors. Johnson, 22, has posted a solid 3.54 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 61 innings in Single-A. These young arms could prove crucial for a Rays team currently sporting a 54-52 record and sitting 3.5 games back of a wild-card spot.
This trade is part of a broader trend for the Rays, who have recently dealt away key players like Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, and Jason Adam. The Rays' strategical shifts indicate a focus on restructuring and long-term development as they navigate through a competitive season.
Paredes returning to the team that initially signed him adds a layer of nostalgia to the move. Cubs fans will be eager to see how his presence impacts the team’s performance in the coming weeks. With both teams holding hopes for a postseason run, the success of this trade could hinge on how well Paredes integrates into the Cubs' dynamic and the contributions of the newly acquired players for the Rays.
In the ever-volatile world of Major League Baseball, trades like these can alter the trajectory of a season. As the Cubs welcome back Paredes and the Rays look to harness the potential of their new acquisitions, both franchises await the unfolding outcomes of this high-stakes exchange.