The Major League Baseball landscape was shaken recently as All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes is once again on the move. In a significant trade finalized just ahead of the July 30 trade deadline, the Chicago Cubs and the Tampa Bay Rays agreed to a deal that sees Paredes returning to the team that initially signed him as an amateur.
Originally signed by the Cubs, Paredes' career has been quite the roller-coaster ride. He was first traded to the Detroit Tigers, then moved to the Tampa Bay Rays, and now finds himself headed back to Chicago. At 25, Paredes brings a wealth of experience and a solid performance history to the Cubs. Over the span of 354 games, he boasts a slash line of .237/.340/.458 (126 OPS+) with 67 home runs. His offensive metrics place him just behind notable third basemen like Rafael Devers, José Ramírez, Austin Riley, and Manny Machado in OPS+.
Despite his impressive offensive stats, Paredes' average exit velocity ranks in the 4th percentile, according to Statcast's metrics. Moreover, Statcast's estimates suggest that had Paredes played his games at Wrigley Field earlier in his career, he would have totaled five fewer home runs this season and 12 fewer overall. Nonetheless, his prowess at pulling fly balls is unmatched, as Robert Orr's database indicates that Paredes pulls a higher share of fly balls than any other player in the majors.
Team Control and Future Potential
The Cubs see considerable potential in Paredes, especially given that his contract offers team control through the 2027 season. This move is part of the Cubs' strategy to boost their batting capacity and overall team dynamics.
Acquiring Paredes isn't the only notable aspect of this trade. The Rays, who won 99 games last season, are now faring only half a game worse in playoff positioning compared to the infamous "White Flag Trade" executed by the 1997 Chicago White Sox. Since early July, the Rays have traded away Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale, Phil Maton, Jason Adam, and now Isaac Paredes, indicating a significant shift in their roster strategy.
The Rays' Perspective
“Clearly the Powers That Be in St. Petersburg view Ron Schueler as a fearless trailblazer that never got his due,” remarked an analyst, reflecting on the Rays’ management style amid these sweeping changes.
In return for Paredes, the Cubs are sending Christopher Morel and two prospects, Bigge and Johnson, to Tampa Bay. Morel, a promising 25-year-old batter, has shown his potential with a 90th percentile exit velocity, making him comparable to Teoscar Hernández and Joc Pederson. Analysts believe he is "a decent bet to be an above-average hitter for at least the next few years." According to experts, “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.’”
Adding Prospects
Additionally, Bigge, 26, who has made four big-league appearances this season with the Cubs, and Johnson, a recent pick from Ball State in last summer’s 15th round, are part of the deal. While these players bring less immediate impact, their inclusion provides Tampa Bay with potential future assets.
As Isaac Paredes prepares to don a Cubs uniform once more, both Chicago and Tampa Bay fans will be watching closely to see how this trade shapes the trajectory of their respective teams. For the Cubs, the addition of Paredes represents a strategic effort to strengthen their lineup and capitalize on his controlled contract through 2027. Meanwhile, the Rays continue to make bold moves, betting on young talents like Christopher Morel to step up and fill the void left by their recent trades.
Only time will tell how these roster changes will play out, but one thing is certain: in the ever-dynamic world of Major League Baseball, surprises and strategic shifts remain a constant, keeping fans and analysts alike on the edge of their seats.