Tampa Bay Rays All-Star Isaac Paredes was traded earlier than MLB’s deadline, however it wasn’t the group anybody anticipated.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and different golf equipment anticipated to make the postseason have been throughout Paredes’ market, however it was the Chicago Cubs swooping in to land the third baseman.
The Rays accepted a package deal that revolves round Christopher Morel, the 25-year-old third baseman who has tons of energy however has struggled in his third MLB season in Chicago.
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Isaac Paredes of the Tampa Bay Rays in motion towards the Yankees on July 20, 2024, in New York Metropolis. (Adam Starvation/Getty Photos)
Tampa Bay can also be receiving right-hander Hunter Bigge, the Cubs’ Twenty ninth-ranked prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and right-hander Ty Johnson.
Morel is slashing simply .199/.302/.374 this 12 months, although he has 18 homers and 51 RBI over 102 video games. Maybe a special sort of surroundings with the Rays can unlock the Morel the Cubs noticed final 12 months, as he completed with 26 homers and an .821 OPS.
What makes this commerce so shocking is that Paredes was anticipated to be an improve for a group that was going for it in 2024. Stories from the Cubs not too long ago have said the group is seeking to the longer term, because it’s 50-56 – useless final within the NL Central.
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Nevertheless, the Nationwide League wild-card race is extensive open in the intervening time, with the Cubs simply six video games again of the third spot the New York Mets presently personal at 55-49.
Paredes was somebody groups have been clamoring over, so this transfer places Chicago within the purchaser’s market in a surprising transfer contemplating their place in standings.
Paredes, although, isn’t any stranger to the Cubs group, as he began his profession within the minor leagues with them. Nevertheless, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers two years into his professional profession, and he ended up making his MLB debut for them in 2020.
Isaac Paredes of the Tampa Bay Rays performs protection throughout the 94th MLB All-Star Sport at Globe Life Discipline on July 16, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (Sam Hodde/Getty Photos)
Then, Paredes was traded to the Rays in alternate for Austin Meadows earlier than Opening Day 2022.
After discovering some extra energy within the bigs, Paredes developed right into a prime hitter within the Rays group, and that become All-Star standing in 2024. For the season, Paredes is slashing .247/.355/.438 with 16 homers and 19 doubles to associate with 55 RBI over 100 video games.
This manufacturing comes after Paredes exploded with a career-high 31 homers and 98 RBI in 2023 over 143 contests.
Contemplating his energy, and his capability to play first and second base together with third, groups needed Paredes as a result of he’s beneath group management till after the 2027 marketing campaign. Buying and selling for him was by no means a rental, and why the worth was excessive for the Rays to land him.
Isaac Paredes of the Tampa Bay Rays warms up earlier than the sport towards the Rangers at Globe Life Discipline on July 5, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (Tim Heitman/Getty Photos)
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Different groups had the belongings to make a commerce work, however the Rays clearly favored what the Cubs needed to provide, particularly within the case of Morel along with his upside.
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