Cubs Acquire Isaac Paredes from Rays in Blockbuster Trade
The Major League Baseball world has been shaken once again as All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes finds himself on the move. In a significant trade that was finalized just before the July 30 trade deadline, the Chicago Cubs and the Tampa Bay Rays reached an agreement, leading to Paredes' return to the team that originally signed him as an amateur.
Paredes, who is now 25 years old, boasts a slash line of .237/.340/.458 (126 OPS+) with 67 home runs across 354 games. His impressive performance over this period places him just behind elite third basemen like Rafael Devers, José Ramírez, Austin Riley, and Manny Machado in OPS+. Despite his low average exit velocity, which ranks in the 4th percentile according to Statcast's metrics, he remains a formidable pull hitter for fly balls—more so than any other player in the majors, as indicated by Robert Orr's database.
However, Statcast estimates that if Paredes had consistently played at Wrigley Field instead of Tampa Bay's Tropicana Field, he would have five fewer home runs this season and 12 fewer for his career. Despite this, the Cubs see significant potential in Paredes, whose contract offers team control through the 2027 season.
In a statement reflecting on the management style of the Rays, one insider noted, "Clearly the Powers That Be in St. Petersburg view Ron Schueler as a fearless trailblazer that never got his due."
The Cubs are optimistic about what Paredes brings to the table, aiming to boost their batting capacity and overall team dynamics. In exchange for Paredes, the Rays acquired Christopher Morel, a promising 25-year-old batter. Morel, known for his 90th percentile exit velocity, draws comparisons to Teoscar Hernández and Joc Pederson. An expert suggested that the Rays might position Morel at second base, left field, or designate him as a hitter, adding, "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.'"
Morel is expected to be a decent bet for being an above-average hitter for at least the next few years, according to analysts. Joining Morel in the trade package are prospects Bigge and Johnson. Bigge, 26, has made four big-league appearances this season with the Cubs, while Johnson, 22, was recently picked from Ball State in last summer’s 15th round.
The Rays have been active in the trade market since the start of July, dealing notable names like Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale, Phil Maton, and Jason Adam, in addition to Paredes. Despite these high-profile trades, the Rays remain competitive, only half a game worse in playoff positioning compared to the famous "White Flag Trade" executed by the 1997 Chicago White Sox, a year where the team infamously traded away key players despite being in playoff contention.
Last season, the Rays won an impressive 99 games, demonstrating their resilience and depth. Their current strategy seems focused on future flexibility and long-term gains, although it comes at the cost of trading away prominent players.
While the Tampa Bay Rays continue to reshape their roster, the Chicago Cubs are gearing up with new talent, looking to leverage Paredes' skills to make a strong push. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these strategic changes impact both teams' performances on the field.