The Major League Baseball world experienced a seismic shift as All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes made headlines with his latest move. In a significant trade completed just ahead of the July 30 deadline, the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays agreed to terms that send the 25-year-old Paredes back to his roots in Chicago.
Paredes' Career Journey
Originally signed by the Cubs as an amateur, Paredes' career has seen him journey through several teams. Following a stint with the Detroit Tigers, Paredes found himself with the Tampa Bay Rays before this latest transaction brought him back to the Windy City. Standing at 25 years old, his performance on the field is noteworthy. With a slash line of .237/.340/.458 and 67 home runs over 354 games, Paredes consistently ranks just behind top third basemen like Rafael Devers, José Ramírez, Austin Riley, and Manny Machado in OPS+.
Statcast Insights and Player Potential
Despite his impressive batting figures, Paredes' average exit velocity places him in the 4th percentile, indicating some areas of concern. However, his ability to pull a greater share of fly balls than any other player in the majors has not gone unnoticed. Statcast estimates that if Paredes had played at Wrigley Field, he would have hit five fewer home runs this season and a total of 12 fewer over his career. These numbers indicate a player with specific strengths and room for growth, presenting an interesting prospect for the Cubs.
The Cubs have high hopes for Paredes, particularly given his contract which offers team control through the 2027 season. Recognizing his potential, the Cubs aim to boost their batting capacity and overall team dynamics with his addition.
Rays' Trade Strategy
The Rays, on the other hand, have been active this season, trading several key players including Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale, Phil Maton, Jason Adam, and Isaac Paredes. Despite a successful last season with 99 wins, the Rays find themselves only half a game worse in playoff positioning compared to the "White Flag Trade" executed by the 1997 Chicago White Sox.
One analyst reflecting on the Rays' management style noted, "Clearly the Powers That Be in St. Petersburg view Ron Schueler as a fearless trailblazer that never got his due," highlighting the fearless and strategic approach undertaken by the Rays' front office.
New Faces in the Trade
Part of the deal includes Christopher Morel, a promising batter who also stands at 25 years old. Morel's 90th percentile exit velocity draws comparisons to hitters like Teoscar Hernández and Joc Pederson. Analysts believe in Morel's potential, stating, "Morel strikes us as someone who is a decent bet to be an above-average hitter for at least the next few years."
It is anticipated that the Rays might position Morel at second base, left field, or as a designated hitter. One expert suggested, "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.'"
Additionally, the trade brings in Bigge, a 26-year-old who has made four big-league appearances this season with the Cubs, and Johnson, a 22-year-old recent pick from Ball State selected in last summer’s 15th round.
Looking Ahead
While the Cubs and Rays have their specific motives for the trade, the movement of Isaac Paredes back to Chicago stands as a pivotal moment of this transaction period. Both teams hope their new acquisitions will bolster their rosters in the strategic push towards the latter half of the season. As Paredes settles back into Chicago and Morel prepares to make his mark with the Rays, fans and analysts alike will be closely watching the unfolding impact of this significant trade.