The Cubs have acquired infielder Isaac Paredes from the Rays, in response to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Instances (X hyperlink). Christopher Morel headlines a three-player bundle heading again to Tampa in return, as per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, with two prospects additionally included. These two youthful gamers are right-handers Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma reviews.
Paredes has been a preferred determine in commerce rumors in latest days, with such groups because the Dodgers, Astros, Rangers, and Mariners all linked to the All-Star. As a substitute, a extra stunning suitor has gained the bidding, as Paredes will as an alternative go to a Cubs crew that sits in final place within the NL Central with a 50-56 document.
Nonetheless, it isn’t fully stunning that the Cubs have made such a daring transfer, because the crew is clearly aiming to contend in 2025 after stumbling to their disappointing consequence this 12 months. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer stated earlier this week that the Cubs’ deadline strikes could be made with a watch in direction of competing subsequent season versus making a late run now, although Paredes is definitely a lift to Chicago’s lineup proper now.
There are additionally some long-term ties at play, since Paredes started his professional profession as a world signing for the Cubs again in 2015. He was moved together with Jeimer Candelario to the Tigers on the 2017 deadline within the commerce that introduced Alex Avila and Justin Wilson to Chicago, and Paredes made his MLB debut in a Detroit uniform in 2020.
Acquired in a commerce with the Tigers early within the 2022 season, Paredes emerged as a really productive common over his three years in Tampa. He has a 129 wRC+ over his 1377 plate appearances in a Rays uniform, highlighted by a 31-homer season in 2023 and an All-Star look this 12 months. Regardless of a latest droop, Paredes remains to be hitting .247/.355/.438 with 16 house runs this season, throughout 425 PA whereas getting common work at each nook infield spots.
Most of that work got here at third base, and Paredes figures to take proper over from Morel on the scorching nook at Wrigley Discipline. Paredes’ glovework as a 3rd baseman has been extra strong than excellent, but even common protection is a giant improve from Morel, whose struggles within the subject have been properly documented.
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