Cubs Make Bold Trade, Bringing Isaac Paredes to Chicago

In a surprising turn of events, the Chicago Cubs pulled off a significant trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon. In this deal, the Cubs acquired Isaac Paredes while sending Christopher Morel and young pitchers Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson to Tampa Bay.

Morel had played in the game against the Royals in Kansas City that very day, but he was pulled from the lineup and replaced by Michael Busch just before the trade was announced. Paredes has a connection to the Cubs, having originally been signed by them in July 2015 before being traded to the Tigers in 2017.

This marked a notable move for the Cubs, as they have now successfully acquired both players involved in that previous trade—Jeimer Candelario was brought over from Washington last year. Paredes, aged 25, is a player the Cubs can rely on, as he is under team control until the 2027 season.

Paredes has proven to be a valuable player, mainly playing third base, with impressive statistics. This season alone, he’s hit 16 homers with 55 RBIs and maintains a solid OPS. Last year, he earned down-ballot MVP votes and was selected to the AL All-Star team.

On the other hand, Morel, who is also 25, had a decent run this season with 18 homers and 51 RBIs but faced challenges with his batting average and OPS. Cub’s management is pleased with the trade as it enhances their lineup not just for this season but also aims for long-term success.

Earlier in the weekend, the Cubs also expressed interest in acquiring other players under team control, focusing on improvements and aiming to avoid short-term fixes. Hoyer stated that they want players who can contribute now and in the future, and adding Paredes supports that objective.

In terms of value, Paredes is seen as an upgrade for the Cubs. He had a significant WAR last season, far surpassing Morel’s performance. The Cubs believe that by bringing in Paredes, they are gaining a strong defender for the long haul.

Bigge and Johnson, who were traded, were noted for their potential; Bigge made his MLB debut this year, while Johnson had solid stats in the minors. With these changes, the Cubs are excited about their future and the direction the team is heading.