The Major League Baseball world is abuzz with news of Isaac Paredes once again switching teams. The All-Star third baseman, a familiar name in multiple clubhouses over the years, is set to return to the Chicago Cubs after a series of high-stakes trades.
In a notable move just before the July 30 trade deadline, the Chicago Cubs and the Tampa Bay Rays struck a significant deal. Paredes, who was initially signed by the Cubs as an amateur, had been part of the Detroit Tigers and the Tampa Bay Rays before finding his way back to Chicago.
Isaac Paredes' Journey
At 25 years old, Paredes has demonstrated considerable talent and potential on the field. His current slash line stands at .237/.340/.458 with an impressive 126 OPS+, alongside 67 home runs over 354 games. This performance situates him just behind notable third basemen such as Rafael Devers, José Ramírez, Austin Riley, and Manny Machado in terms of OPS+ within the same period.
Despite these numbers, Statcast’s metrics reveal some areas of concern. Paredes' average exit velocity ranks in the 4th percentile, a stat that suggests room for improvement. Additionally, data from Robert Orr's database indicates that Paredes pulls more fly balls than any other player in the majors. Statcast further 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 for his career.
The Cubs' Strategy
Yet, the Cubs see potential in Paredes, eyeing him as a catalyst to enhance their batting capacity and overall team dynamics. His contract, which offers team control through the 2027 season, provides the Cubs with a stable, long-term option at third base.
With the start of the July trade frenzy, the Rays have offloaded several key players, including Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale, Phil Maton, Jason Adam, and now Isaac Paredes. Such moves suggest that the "Powers That Be" in St. Petersburg are embracing a management style akin to that of Ron Schueler, often seen as a trailblazer in fearless trading tactics.
Christopher Morel and Other Promising Additions
As part of the deal, the Rays have also acquired Christopher Morel, another promising batter who, at 25 years old, matches up with Paredes in age. Morel’s 90th percentile exit velocity places him in the company of hitters like Teoscar Hernández and Joc Pederson. Analysts have noted, "Morel strikes us as someone who is a decent bet to be an above-average hitter for at least the next few years." The Rays may position him at second base, left field, or designated hitter, capitalizing on his hitting abilities while mitigating any defensive shortcomings.
Alongside Morel, the Cubs have sent Bigge and Johnson to Tampa Bay. Bigge, 26, has made four big-league appearances this season, while Johnson, a 22-year-old, was picked from Ball State in last summer’s 15th round.
The Bigger Picture
For the Rays, who secured 99 victories last season, these trades occur as they find themselves merely half a game behind in playoff positioning compared to the "White Flag Trade" executed by the 1997 Chicago White Sox. This suggests that the Rays remain competitive and strategically focused, despite these high-profile departures.
In sum, the return of Isaac Paredes to the Chicago Cubs signifies an ambitious step in their roster restructuring. Whether this move will pay off in terms of both immediate performance and long-term strategic goals remains to be seen. Both the Cubs and the Rays are making bold decisions, setting the stage for an intriguing second half of the MLB season.