The Major League Baseball universe has been rocked by another high-profile trade, as All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes is on the move yet again. In a significant exchange just ahead of the July 30 trade deadline, the Chicago Cubs and the Tampa Bay Rays finalized a deal sending Paredes back to his original team.
Paredes' Journey Back to Chicago
Isaac Paredes, initially signed by the Cubs as an amateur, had quite a journey across the league. His first major move was to the Detroit Tigers, and following his stint there, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays. Now at 25 years old, he finds himself returning to the Chicago Cubs, the team that first recognized his potential.
Paredes has an impressive slash line of .237/.340/.458, with a 126 OPS+ and 67 home runs over 354 games. His performance establishes him just behind top-tier third basemen like Rafael Devers, José Ramírez, Austin Riley, and Manny Machado in terms of OPS+ during the same span.
Metrics and Mechanics
However, not everything about Paredes' game is gauged in glowing terms. Statcast metrics reveal that his average exit velocity ranks in the 4th percentile. Despite this, Robert Orr's database credits him with pulling a higher share of fly balls than any other major leaguer, showcasing his unique style and approach at the plate.
A noteworthy statistic brought up by Statcast estimates that if Paredes had played at Wrigley Field instead of Tropicana Field, he would have recorded five fewer home runs this season and a total of 12 fewer across his career. This data highlights just how crucial ballpark dimensions can be to a player's stat line.
The Cubs' Strategic Move
The Cubs clearly see potential in Paredes, not just for his current capabilities but also for his future contributions. Acquiring him offers Chicago team control through the 2027 season, providing a stable outlook for their infield and a boost to their batting lineup.
If the Cubs' aim was to enhance their batting capacity and overall team dynamics, Paredes appears to be an ideal fit. His return comes at a critical time as the team seeks to solidify its roster amid fierce competition.
The Rays' Perspective
Since the start of July, the Rays have made several high-profile trades, moving players like Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale, Phil Maton, Jason Adam, and now Isaac Paredes. Despite this turnover, the Rays are only half a game worse in playoff positioning compared to the infamous "White Flag Trade" of the 1997 Chicago White Sox. "Clearly the Powers That Be in St. Petersburg view Ron Schueler as a fearless trailblazer that never got his due," reflects an insightful evaluation of the Rays' management style.
Christopher Morel's Promising Future
Another crucial piece of this trade is Christopher Morel, a 25-year-old promising batter included in the exchange. Morel possesses a 90th percentile exit velocity, making him comparable to notable hitters like Teoscar Hernández and Joc Pederson. Analysts opine, "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 might strategically position Morel at second base, left field, or as a designated hitter, using his hitting prowess advantageously. "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,'" suggests one expert.
Additional Elements of the Trade
Alongside Morel, the deal includes other players like Bigge, a 26-year-old who has made four big-league appearances for the Cubs this season, and Johnson, a 22-year-old prospect recently picked from Ball State in the 15th round of last summer's draft. These additions provide further depth and potential for the Rays as they retool their roster.
In the end, this significant trade highlights the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of Major League Baseball, where strategic decisions and player movements continue to shape the landscape of the sport. Both the Cubs and the Rays will be keenly watching how these changes impact their respective journeys towards success in the seasons to come.