The Major League Baseball world was once again shaken with a high-profile move involving All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes. In a significant trade completed just ahead of the July 30 deadline, Paredes finds himself returning to the Chicago Cubs, the team that originally signed him as an amateur.
Paredes, now 25 years old, has had a notable journey across MLB teams. After starting with the Cubs, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers and later moved to the Tampa Bay Rays. His latest move brings him back to familiar territory in Chicago. Paredes boasts a respectable slash line of .237/.340/.458 (126 OPS+) with 67 home runs over the course of 354 games, making him a valuable asset for the Cubs.
His performance as a hitter is particularly noteworthy. Among regular third basemen in the league, his OPS+ places him just behind some of the game's top names, including Rafael Devers, José Ramírez, Austin Riley, and Manny Machado. Despite these impressive numbers, Statcast's metrics indicate that his average exit velocity ranks in the 4th percentile, which could be a point of concern for the Cubs. Additionally, his tendency to pull a large share of fly balls, as noted by Robert Orr's database, might affect his home run count, especially when playing at Wrigley Field. Statcast estimates that playing at Wrigley Field would have resulted in five fewer home runs this season and 12 fewer for his career.
Despite these factors, the Cubs see immense potential in Paredes. His contract offers the team control through the 2027 season, allowing them to harness his talents for several years to come. The Cubs are looking to boost their batting capacity and overall team dynamics by adding Paredes to their roster.
Tampa Bay Rays' Trade Moves
In a broader context, the Rays have been quite active on the trade front since the start of July. They have traded away notable players such as Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale, Phil Maton, Jason Adam, and now Isaac Paredes. Despite these moves, the Rays, who won 99 games last season, remain competitive. Their current playoff positioning is only half a game worse than the historic "White Flag Trade" executed by the 1997 Chicago White Sox.
One interesting perspective on the Rays' management style comes from an expert's observation: "Clearly the Powers That Be in St. Petersburg view Ron Schueler as a fearless trailblazer that never got his due." This insight sheds light on the Rays’ bold and often unconventional approach to team management.
Christopher Morel and Other Trade Details
As part of the deal, the Cubs sent Christopher Morel to the Rays. At 25 years old, Morel presents as a promising batter. His 90th percentile exit velocity puts him in the same league as notable hitters like Teoscar Hernández and Joc Pederson. Analysts predict a bright future for Morel, with one stating, "Morel strikes us as someone who is a decent bet to be an above-average hitter for at least the next few years."
The Rays have options in utilizing Morel, potentially placing him at second base, left field, or designated hitter. As one expert commented, "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.'" This flexibility could be valuable as the Rays navigate the rest of their season.
Additionally, the Cubs included two other players in the trade. Bigge, 26, has limited major-league experience with just four appearances this season. Johnson, 22, was a recent draft pick from Ball State and brings new talent to the Rays' roster.
As the baseball world adjusts to these recent moves, it’s clear that both the Cubs and the Rays are making strategic decisions to shape their futures. Isaac Paredes' return to Chicago marks a significant development for both teams, underscoring the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of Major League Baseball.