After making an unexpected trade to acquire Isaac Paredes, the third baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays, on Sunday, the Chicago Cubs shocked the baseball world. In exchange, the Cubs sent pitching prospects Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson to Tampa Bay along with struggling third baseman Christopher Morel. The Cubs weren’t anticipated to add any significant players before the July 30 trade deadline, so the deal is unexpected. Given the team’s difficulties, Chicagoans were more likely speculating about potential trade targets.
The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly engaged in a bidding war for Paredes, which contributed to the surprise of this deal. This occurred just a few hours before word spread that the Cubs had acquired him. Jed Hoyer showed up and took everyone by surprise, demonstrating that unexpected teams are always able to enter the picture at any time.
Cubs Acquire Isaac Paredes in Trade with Rays, Send Prospects to Tampa Bay
The Chicago Cubs have made a significant move by acquiring infielder Isaac Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays. This trade is seen as a strategic enhancement for the Cubs, aligning with their “win now” approach while securing a valuable asset for the long term. Paredes is under team control through the 2027 season, which adds considerable value to this transaction.
Paredes’ Return to the Cubs:
Paredes, 25, returns to the Cubs after seven years. He was originally traded to the Detroit Tigers in 2017 in exchange for Jeimer Candelario. The Cubs signed Paredes in 2015 as an international free agent from Mexico. He made his MLB debut with the Tigers in late 2020, playing 34 games. After a brief stint in 2021, Paredes was traded to the Rays at the start of the 2022 season.
During his time with the Rays, Paredes has impressed with 67 home runs and a .798 OPS over the past two and a half seasons. This performance earned him his first All-Star selection this year. Paredes primarily plays third base but has also seen time at first base, second base, and occasionally shortstop.
Impact on the Cubs:
Paredes will replace Christopher Morel at third base. Morel, while showing potential, has struggled this season, batting just .199/.302/.374 with a .676 OPS. In contrast, Paredes brings a more consistent offensive performance, hitting .247/.355/.438 this season for a .798 OPS. His advanced metrics, including a 16% strikeout rate compared to Morel’s 24.5%, and a higher walk rate (12% vs. 11.2%), underscore his superior hitting abilities and defensive skills.
Prospects Sent to Tampa Bay:
In exchange for Paredes, the Cubs have sent two right-handed pitching prospects to the Rays:
- Ty Johnson: A 22-year-old drafted in the 15th round in 2023, Johnson has a 3.54 ERA in 18 games (10 starts) this season across Single-A Myrtle Beach and High-A South Bend. He has yet to pitch in the majors.
- Hunter Bigge: At 26 years old, Bigge made his MLB debut this season but has seen limited action, pitching 3 1/3 innings for the Cubs with a 2.70 ERA. He has bounced between the Cubs and Triple-A Iowa and was considered a potential key piece for the Cubs’ future bullpen.
Conclusion:
While trading Morel, a fan favorite, and promising pitching prospects is a tough decision, the Cubs believe that Paredes’ power and consistent contact will be beneficial for the team’s immediate and future success. The move positions the Cubs to strengthen their lineup as they push towards playoff contention, while also ensuring they have a solid, controllable asset in Paredes for years to come.
