Isaac Paredes Moves Back to the Cubs in Blockbuster Trade with Rays
In a stunning turn of events, the Major League Baseball landscape was rocked as All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes finds himself once again donning the uniform of the Chicago Cubs. Coming just ahead of the July 30 trade deadline, the Chicago Cubs and the Tampa Bay Rays orchestrated a significant trade that sends Paredes back to his original team.
Paredes, now 25, originally entered professional baseball through the Cubs' scouting system as an amateur. His journey then saw him traded to the Detroit Tigers before making his way to the Tampa Bay Rays. This latest move marks a full-circle return to the team that first saw his potential.
Known for his solid performance at the plate, Paredes boasts a slash line of .237/.340/.458 (126 OPS+) and has accrued 67 home runs over the course of 354 games. This places him in the upper echelons of regular third basemen, narrowly trailing the likes of Rafael Devers, José Ramírez, Austin Riley, and Manny Machado in terms of OPS+.
Despite this, Paredes' average exit velocity ranks in the 4th percentile, according to Statcast's metrics. Additionally, data analyst Robert Orr highlights that Paredes pulls more fly balls than any other player in the majors. These statistics have implications; notably, Statcast estimates that he would have five fewer home runs this season and 12 fewer for his career if he had played at Wrigley Field.
Nevertheless, the Chicago Cubs are undeterred, seeing significant potential in Paredes. His contract keeps him under team control through the 2027 season, providing them with both stability and the promise of enhanced batting capacity. The Cubs are banking on Paredes to not only boost their offense but also to integrate seamlessly into their overall team dynamics.
The Rays, who won 99 games last season, have been notably active in the trade market this July, having also traded Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale, Phil Maton, and Jason Adam. The departure of Paredes to the Cubs signifies yet another bold move by the Rays' management, a strategy that one analyst insightfully summarized: "Clearly the Powers That Be in St. Petersburg view Ron Schueler as a fearless trailblazer that never got his due."
As part of the deal, the Cubs are sending promising batter Christopher Morel to the Rays. At 25 years old, Morel's noteworthy 90th percentile exit velocity aligns him with hitters like Teoscar Hernández and Joc Pederson. Experts believe in Morel's potential, with one analyst stating, "Morel strikes us as someone who is a decent bet to be an above-average hitter for at least the next few years." The Rays, in turn, may slot Morel at second base, left field, or use him as a designated hitter, as indicated by another expert: "The Rays may want to plop him down at second base (or left field, or DH) and say, 'that's that, go hit and we won't mind the defensive damage.'"
Additionally, the trade package includes Bigge, a 26-year-old who has made a handful of big-league appearances this season with the Cubs, and Johnson, a 22-year-old recent pick from Ball State in last summer’s 15th round.
This trade presents a pivotal moment for both franchises. The Cubs aim to rejuvenate their lineup with Paredes' talent and potential, hoping it translates into on-field success and bolsters their playoff aspirations. Conversely, the Rays continue their aggressive strategy, prioritizing flexible and dynamic options to maintain a competitive edge in one of baseball's toughest divisions.