In a move that has sent ripples through the Major League Baseball landscape, All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes is on the move once again. The Chicago Cubs and the Tampa Bay Rays have agreed on a significant trade just ahead of the critical July 30 trade deadline, marking yet another shift in Paredes' career path.
Return to Chicago
Paredes, initially signed by the Cubs as an amateur, has had a journey marked by multiple trades. After being sent to the Detroit Tigers early in his career, Paredes found himself wearing the Tampa Bay Rays uniform. Now, at 25, he is making a return to the Chicago Cubs. Over the course of 354 games, Paredes has demonstrated a solid performance with a slash line of .237/.340/.458 (126 OPS+) and 67 home runs. His stats place him just behind elite third basemen like Rafael Devers, José Ramírez, Austin Riley, and Manny Machado in OPS+ during that span.
Inconsistent Metrics
Despite these impressive numbers, Paredes' average exit velocity ranks in the 4th percentile according to Statcast's metrics, presenting a somewhat curious case. Additionally, Robert Orr's database indicates that Paredes pulls a greater share of fly balls than any other player in the majors. Statcast speculates that if Paredes had played at Wrigley Field, he would have hit five fewer home runs this season and 12 fewer for his career. Nonetheless, the Cubs see immense potential in Paredes, who is under team control through the 2027 season.
A Strategic Addition
By adding Paredes to their roster, the Cubs hope to boost their batting capacity and overall team dynamics. His addition comes as part of a broader strategic play by the Cubs to enhance their offensive lineup.
Other Rays Departures
Meanwhile, the Rays have been active on the trade front since early July, parting ways with key players including Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale, Phil Maton, Jason Adam, and now Isaac Paredes. Despite winning 99 games last season, the Rays find themselves only half a game worse in playoff positioning compared to the infamous "White Flag Trade" executed by the 1997 Chicago White Sox. Reflecting on the Rays' management style, an analyst observed, "Clearly the Powers That Be in St. Petersburg view Ron Schueler as a fearless trailblazer that never got his due."
The Promise of Christopher Morel
Part of the Cubs-Rays deal includes 25-year-old Christopher Morel, who is emerging as a promising batter. Analysts believe that "Morel strikes us as someone who is a decent bet to be an above-average hitter for at least the next few years." His 90th percentile exit velocity ranks him among formidable hitters like Teoscar Hernández and Joc Pederson. The Rays may strategically place Morel at second base, left field, or assign him as a designated hitter, prioritizing his offensive capabilities. As one expert noted, "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.'"
Additional Trade Details
The trade also sees Bigge, 26, who has made four big-league appearances this season with the Cubs, along with Johnson, 22, a recent pick from Ball State in last summer’s 15th round, moving to the Rays. The Cubs and Rays appear to be recalibrating their strategies as they aim to maximize their rosters' potential for the remainder of the season.
In summary, Isaac Paredes' return to the Chicago Cubs marks another chapter in his already eventful career. Both the Cubs and Rays are making calculated moves to strengthen their respective lineups and are banking on their new acquisitions to propel them toward their seasonal goals. As the MLB trade dynamics evolve, the impact of Paredes, Morel, and their fellow transferees will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.