Cubs Acquire All-Star Third Baseman Isaac Paredes from Rays
The Chicago Cubs made waves today by acquiring All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays. In exchange, the Cubs sent infielder Christopher Morel along with pitchers Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson to Tampa Bay. This move signifies a strategic shift as the Cubs aim to bolster their infield capabilities and improve their chances of making a run for the postseason.
Paredes, who initially joined the Cubs organization in 2015 as an international amateur free agent from Mexico, has returned to where his professional career began. The 24-year-old has had an eventful journey through Major League Baseball, having been traded to the Detroit Tigers in 2017 where he made his MLB debut. Paredes struggled to find a consistent spot in the majors, fluctuating between the majors and minors from 2020 to 2021. Prior to the 2022 season, he was traded to the Rays in a deal that sent Austin Meadows to Detroit.
So far this season, Paredes is hitting .245/.357/.435 with 16 home runs. His impressive offensive output earned him a selection as the Rays' All-Star representative earlier this month. Most recently, he played in a win over the Cincinnati Reds, going 0 for 2 with a walk. His overall performance and potential upside have clearly intrigued the Cubs.
One insider commented on the acquisition, stating, "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." Given the Cubs’ current position of 50-56 and being six games out of a wild-card spot, adding a reliable bat and defender like Paredes could prove crucial in their pursuit of playoff contention.
In contrast, the Rays, who are sitting at 54-52 and 3.5 games back of a wild-card spot, have been active on the trade front. Besides Paredes, they have recently traded names like Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, and Jason Adam. The aim appears to be a combination of bolstering their future prospects while attempting to stay competitive in the fiercely contested American League. In Morel, Bigge, and Johnson, the Rays are acquiring a set of players with potential and varying levels of MLB experience.
Christopher Morel has shown flashes of power, slashing .199/.302/.372 with 18 home runs this season. However, his defensive metrics leave something to be desired; Morel currently ranks last among all players with minus-12 outs above average at third base. Notwithstanding his defensive struggles, Morel remains under team control through 2028, giving the Rays ample time to develop him further.
Hunter Bigge, aged 26, made his MLB debut earlier this season. Despite limited exposure in the majors, he has impressed in the minors with a 1.17 ERA and 23 strikeouts over 15 1/3 innings. His potential as a reliable bullpen piece could be valuable for the Rays as they navigate the remainder of the season.
Ty Johnson, the youngest of the trio at 22, has been pitching in Single-A where he holds a 3.54 ERA with 81 strikeouts over 61 innings. While he is still some ways from making his MLB debut, Johnson adds depth to the Rays’ farm system and could develop into a significant asset down the line.
The acquisition of Isaac Paredes marks a noteworthy shift for the Cubs, who are aiming to strengthen their roster down the stretch. Cubs fans will be eager to see if Paredes, with his All-Star pedigree and promising skill set, can help the team make a late-season push towards the playoffs. As for the Rays, their strategy of retooling while remaining competitive will be closely watched by the rest of the league. Both teams are banking on their respective moves to pay dividends as the regular season progresses and the fight for postseason spots intensifies.