Isaac Paredes On the Move Again: A Massive Trade Shakes Major League Baseball
The baseball world was taken by surprise as the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays agreed to a significant trade just ahead of the July 30 trade deadline. The deal centers around All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes, who is once again making headlines with his move back to the Cubs.
A Familiar Return
Isaac Paredes, 25, was initially signed by the Cubs as an amateur, marking the beginning of his professional journey. However, his path took various turns, with trades sending him to the Detroit Tigers and subsequently to the Tampa Bay Rays. Now, Paredes returns to where it all began, bringing with him a wealth of experience and skill.
As a player, Paredes has demonstrated significant potential and consistent performance on the field. Over the course of 354 games, he boasts a slash line of .237/.340/.458 (126 OPS+) and has hit 67 home runs. His performance places him just behind renowned third basemen such as Rafael Devers, José Ramírez, Austin Riley, and Manny Machado in terms of OPS+.
Paredes’ Unique Style
Despite his impressive statistics, one area where Paredes shows a unique pattern is his exit velocity, which ranks in the 4th percentile, according to Statcast metrics. Additionally, Robert Orr's database indicates that Paredes pulls a greater share of fly balls than any other player in the majors, a testament to his distinctive hitting style.
Statcast further estimates that if Paredes had played all his games at Wrigley Field, he would have had five fewer home runs this season and 12 fewer over his career. This statistic might raise eyebrows, but the Cubs see potential and value in Paredes, potentially attributable to his contract that offers team control through the 2027 season.
Strategic Moves by the Rays
From the Tampa Bay Rays’ perspective, this trade is part of a larger strategy. Since the start of July, the Rays have traded several key players, including Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale, Phil Maton, Jason Adam, and now Isaac Paredes. The Rays, who won 99 games last season, currently find themselves in a playoff position just half a game worse compared to the "White Flag Trade" executed by the 1997 Chicago White Sox.
These moves suggest a bold approach by the Rays' management, as highlighted by an insight reflecting on their strategy: "Clearly the Powers That Be in St. Petersburg view Ron Schueler as a fearless trailblazer that never got his due."
Key Elements of the Trade
Christopher Morel, a promising 25-year-old batter, is a significant part of the deal. Analysts are optimistic about Morel's potential, remarking, "Morel strikes us as someone who is a decent bet to be an above-average hitter for at least the next few years." His 90th percentile exit velocity makes him comparable to notable hitters like Teoscar Hernández and Joc Pederson.
The Rays appear to have various roles in mind for Morel, potentially placing him at second base, left field, or as a designated hitter. One expert's perspective reflects this versatility: "The Rays may want to plop him down at second base (or left field, or DH) and say, 'that's that, go hit and we won't mind the defensive damage.'"
Younger Talents in the Mix
As part of the trade, the Cubs included 26-year-old Bigge, who has made four big-league appearances this season, and 22-year-old Johnson, a recent draft pick from Ball State selected in last summer's 15th round. These additions suggest the Cubs are looking to not only boost their current roster but also build for the future.
For the Cubs, the acquisition of Paredes indicates an effort to enhance their batting capacity and overall team dynamics. Paredes' return comes with the hope of providing the Cubs with the offensive boost they need as they eye a postseason berth. As the trade deadline approaches, fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how this move unfolds and impacts both teams in the long run.