Tampa Bay Rays All-Star Isaac Paredes was traded before the MLB deadline, but it wasn’t the team everyone expected.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and other playoff hopefuls were all over the market for Paredes, but it was the Chicago Cubs who swooped in to land the third baseman.
The Rays agreed to a package that revolves around Christopher Morel, the 25-year-old third baseman who has plenty of power but struggled in his third MLB season in Chicago.
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Isaac Paredes of the Tampa Bay Rays in action against the Yankees on July 20, 2024, in New York. (Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay also receives right-hander Hunter Bigge, the Cubs’ 29th-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, and right-hander Ty Johnson.
Morel is hitting just .199/.302/.374 this year, even though he has 18 homers and 51 RBIs in 102 games. Perhaps a different type of scenario with the Rays could unlock the Morel the Cubs saw last year, as he finished with 26 homers and an .821 OPS.
What makes this trade so surprising is that Paredes was supposed to be an upgrade for a team that was going for 2024. Reports from the Cubs recently said the team was looking to the future, as it sits at 50-56 — last place in the NL Central.
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However, the National League wild-card race is wide open at the moment, with the Cubs just six games behind the third-place New York Mets currently held at 55-49.
Paredes was someone teams were clamoring for, so this trade puts Chicago on the buyer’s market in a shocking move considering their position in the standings.
Paredes is no stranger to the Cubs organization, however, as he began his career in the minor leagues with them. However, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers two years into his professional career, and he ended up making his MLB debut for them in 2020.
Isaac Paredes of the Tampa Bay Rays plays defense during the 94th MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field on July 16, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Then, Paredes was traded to the Rays in exchange for Austin Meadows before Opening Day 2022.
After discovering more power in the major leagues, Paredes has emerged as one of the best hitters in the Rays organization, earning him All-Star status in 2024. For the season, Paredes is hitting .247/.355/.438 with 16 home runs and 19 doubles, along with 55 RBIs in 100 games.
That production comes after Paredes exploded with 31 homers and 98 RBIs in 2023 over 143 games.
Considering his power and ability to play first and second base as well as third base, teams wanted Paredes because he is under team control through the 2027 campaign. Trading for him was never a rental, which is why the price was high for the Rays to get him.
Isaac Paredes of the Tampa Bay Rays warms up before the game against the Rangers at Globe Life Field on July 5, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
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Other teams had the assets to make a trade work, but the Rays clearly liked what the Cubs had to offer, especially in the case of Morel with his potential.
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