Cubs Bolster Infield, Acquire All-Star Isaac Paredes From Rays
The Chicago Cubs have made a significant move to strengthen their roster, acquiring All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays. In a trade announced earlier today, the Cubs sent Christopher Morel, Hunter Bigge, and Ty Johnson to the Rays in exchange for Paredes.
Paredes has had a notable season, hitting .245/.357/.435 with 16 home runs. His performance earned him the honor of being the Rays' lone All-Star representative earlier this month. He originally signed as an international amateur free agent out of Mexico with the Cubs back in 2015 and made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers after being traded in 2017. Following a stint with the Tigers, Paredes was traded to the Rays in 2022 in exchange for Austin Meadows. Since then, he has split time between the majors and minors, now finding himself back where his professional journey began.
“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,” said an insider familiar with the trade. Paredes' return to Chicago is seen as a strategic move that could sharpen the team's performance on both sides of the ball.
The Cubs, currently 50-56 and six games out of a wild-card spot, are in dire need of a boost if they hope to make a late-season push. Paredes may just provide the spark they need. In his most recent game, a win over the Cincinnati Reds, Paredes went 0 for 2 with a walk, showing his patience at the plate even on an off day.
The Cubs have given up some notable talent in the deal. Christopher Morel, who has hit .199/.302/.372 with 18 home runs this season, will now don a Rays uniform. Despite his power potential, Morel has struggled defensively, ranking last among all players with minus-12 outs above average at third base. However, the Rays will benefit from his versatility and the fact that he will remain under team control through 2028.
Joining Morel in Tampa Bay are Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson. Bigge, aged 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 shown promise in Single-A with a 3.54 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 61 innings. Both players have the potential to develop further in the Rays' system.
The Rays, currently 54-52 and 3.5 games back of a wild-card spot, have been active in the trade market. They recently moved Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, and Jason Adam, signaling a possible shift towards rebuilding with an eye on future prospects. Paredes' departure is clearly part of a broader strategy to retool the team.
For the Cubs, the addition of Paredes represents a calculated gamble. The team is banking on his ability to adapt quickly and make an immediate impact. With Wrigley Field’s dimensions potentially complementing his hitting style, Paredes could find the friendly confines of Chicago a perfect backdrop to elevate his game.
While the Cubs' season has been challenging, the trade for Paredes indicates a commitment to staying competitive. As the team looks to close the gap for a wild-card spot, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Paredes integrates into the lineup and what impact he may have during this crucial stretch of the season.
The next few weeks will be critical for both the Cubs and the Rays as they navigate the remainder of the season with their updated rosters. Only time will tell if this trade will be the catalyst the Cubs need to propel themselves into playoff contention.