The Tampa Bay Rays have traded All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes to the Chicago Cubs in a surprising move, with the Cubs surrendering a package centered around Christopher Morel.
The Tampa Bay Rays have pulled off an unexpected trade, sending All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for a package headlined by Christopher Morel. Paredes was widely expected to be a key part of a Rays team vying for a World Series title in 2024, making his departure all the more surprising.
Rays Trade Isaac Paredes to Cubs in Unexpected Move
The Cubs, on the other hand, have been looking to the future, and this trade signals a shift in their thinking. The team is currently languishing at the bottom of the NL Central, but the wild-card race remains open, and the acquisition of Paredes gives them a boost in the infield.
Paredes, 24, is a versatile infielder who can play third, first, and second base. He is coming off a breakout season in which he hit 31 homers and drove in 98 runs for the Rays. He has continued to impress in 2024, batting .247 with 16 homers and 55 RBI.
Rays Trade Isaac Paredes to Cubs in Unexpected Move
Morel, 25, is a power-hitting third baseman who has struggled this season, batting just .199 with 18 homers. However, he showed promise last year, hitting 26 homers with an .821 OPS. The Rays are hoping that a change of scenery can help Morel reach his full potential.
The Cubs are also receiving right-handers Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson in the deal. Bigge is the Cubs' 29th-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, while Johnson is a former second-round pick who has struggled in the minors.
Rays Trade Isaac Paredes to Cubs in Unexpected Move
The Rays are betting that Morel can bounce back to his 2023 form, while the Cubs are hoping that Paredes can provide them with a much-needed boost in the infield. Only time will tell which team made the better move, but for now, this trade has shaken up the MLB landscape.
In other news, the Rays have also traded outfielder Harold Ramirez to the Minnesota Twins for a package of prospects. Ramirez was a valuable member of the Rays' outfield, but the team decided to move on after acquiring David Peralta from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Twins, meanwhile, are in the midst of a playoff push, and they are hoping that Ramirez can provide them with some much-needed depth in the outfield. The 29-year-old Ramirez is batting .290 with 11 homers and 50 RBI this season.
The Rays are now without two of their key players, but they are confident that they can still contend for a World Series title. The team has a deep roster, and they are still considered one of the favorites in the American League.
