The Major League Baseball world was shaken as All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes is once again on the move. The Chicago Cubs and the Tampa Bay Rays have agreed on a significant trade just ahead of the July 30 trade deadline, marking yet another chapter in Paredes' tumultuous career journey.
Paredes, originally signed by the Cubs as an amateur, has had his fair share of trades. First, he was moved to the Detroit Tigers, then subsequently to the Tampa Bay Rays, and now he finds himself returning to Chicago. At 25 years old, Paredes has already established himself as a promising talent, boasting a slash line of .237/.340/.458 (126 OPS+) with 67 home runs over 354 games. His impressive performance places him just behind notable third basemen like Rafael Devers, José Ramírez, Austin Riley, and Manny Machado in OPS+ during that span.
Paredes' Performance Metrics
However, delving deeper into Paredes' statistics unveils a mixed bag. While his average exit velocity ranks in the 4th percentile according to Statcast's metrics, he pulls a greater share of fly balls than any other player in the majors, as noted by Robert Orr's database. Interestingly, Statcast estimates that if Paredes had played at Wrigley Field, his current home runs for the season would be five fewer, and 12 fewer over his career. Despite these statistics, the Cubs see untapped potential in Paredes.
Crucially, Paredes' contract offers the Cubs team control through the 2027 season, providing a long-term fixture with great potential to boost their batting capacity and overall team dynamics.
Trade Dynamics
The Cubs aren't the only ones making moves; the Rays have been equally active. Since the start of July, they have traded several notable players including Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale, Phil Maton, Jason Adam, and now, Isaac Paredes. Despite these moves, the team remains only half a game worse in playoff positioning compared to the "White Flag Trade" executed by the 1997 Chicago White Sox. "Clearly the Powers That Be in St. Petersburg view Ron Schueler as a fearless trailblazer that never got his due," reflects one analyst on the Rays' aggressive management style.
Part of the deal also includes Christopher Morel, a promising batter also aged 25. Analysts have compared Morel's 90th percentile exit velocity with prominent players like Teoscar Hernández and Joc Pederson, indicating his potential impact at the plate. The Rays might place Morel at second base, left field, or use him as a designated hitter, accepting any defensive drawbacks in favor of his offensive contributions. "Morel strikes us as someone who is a decent bet to be an above-average hitter for at least the next few years," analysts noted. The Rays may indeed 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,'" one expert suggested.
Transaction Nuances
Additionally, the deal includes younger talents such as Bigge, a 26-year-old who has made four major league appearances this season with the Cubs, and Johnson, a 22-year-old recent pick from Ball State in last summer’s 15th round. These additions provide both teams with prospects to develop for future success.
As the trade deadline approaches, moves like these underscore the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of Major League Baseball. Both the Cubs and the Rays have made strategic decisions that will significantly impact their rosters, aiming to shape successful futures built on the potential of their new acquisitions.