Chicago Cubs Make Bold Move, Acquire All-Star Isaac Paredes from Rays
In a surprising twist ahead of the MLB trade deadline, the Chicago Cubs have acquired All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays. The trade saw the Cubs send Christopher Morel, Hunter Bigge, and Ty Johnson to Tampa Bay in exchange for Paredes, a player with a fascinating history with the Cubs organization.
This trade comes as the Cubs are positioned at 50-56, six games out of a wild-card spot. The move signals a strong belief in Paredes' potential to make a significant impact, both at the plate and defensively.
Paredes' Path from Chicago to Detroit to Tampa Bay
Paredes is no stranger to the Cubs organization. Originally signed by the Cubs as an international amateur free agent out of Mexico in 2015, Paredes was traded to the Detroit Tigers in 2017, where he made his MLB debut. His time with Detroit saw him fluctuate between the majors and minors from 2020 to 2021.
Paredes was then traded to the Rays before the 2022 season in exchange for Austin Meadows, a move that led to his breakout as the Rays' All-Star representative earlier this month.
Currently hitting .245/.357/.435 with 16 home runs this season, Paredes has shown considerable prowess at bat. He played in a win over the Cincinnati Reds earlier in the day, putting up a 0 for 2 performance with a walk.
Cubs’ Confidence in Paredes’ Fit at Wrigley
One insider succinctly captured the Cubs' optimism: "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."
The acquisition of Paredes addresses a vital need for the Cubs, as Christopher Morel, who they traded away, had ranked last among all players with minus-12 outs above average at third base. Morel, while showcasing power with 18 home runs, struggled at the plate with a .199/.302/.372 slash line.
Prospects Making a Move
Hunter Bigge, 26, had a promising debut earlier this season, maintaining a 1.17 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings in the minors. Ty Johnson, a 22-year-old pitcher, recorded a respectable 3.54 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 61 innings at Single-A. These young talents will head to Tampa Bay, adding depth to the Rays' roster as they sit at 54-52, 3.5 games out of a wild-card spot.
The Rays have been actively reshuffling their roster, and moving Paredes is part of a larger strategy that recently included trades involving Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, and Jason Adam. The trade reflects Tampa Bay's commitment to bolstering their lineup for the end-of-season push while eyeing the future with prospects like Bigge and Johnson.
Looking Ahead
For the Cubs, the acquisition of Isaac Paredes is not just a strategic move but a reunion with a player who first entered the system under their watchful eyes. Cubs fans hope that Paredes' return to the organization will spark a mid-season resurgence and possibly narrow the gap in the wild-card race.
While the trade has already made headlines, the coming weeks will reveal its true impact on both franchises. Whether Paredes will help the Cubs make a late-season push or if the prospects will develop into mainstays for the Rays, the swap adds another intriguing chapter to an already unpredictable MLB season.