The Tampa Bay Rays‘ firesale continued on Sunday as they traded third baseman Isaac Paredes to the Chicago Cubs in a surprise move.
Paredes, 25, was named an all-star for the first time in his young career this season after slashing .247/.355/.438 with 16 home runs and 19 doubles. He had a career year last season, batting .250, hitting 31 homers and picking up 98 RBIs.
The Hermosillo, Mexico native has three years left of control before he’s eligible for free agency and will earn only $3.4 million this season, giving the Cubs a piece to build around for the future while also staying competitive this season.
Morel, 25, has been a highly coveted player by the Rays according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. He is slashing .199/.302/.374 with 18 home runs this season.
Tampa Bay traded reliever Jason Adam to the San Diego Padres earlier on Sunday. They also dealt Zach Eflin to the Orioles and Randy Arozarena to the Mariners earlier in the week.
In a surprising move, the Chicago Cubs have acquired third baseman Isaac Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays. Paredes, a promising young player with a strong bat and solid defensive skills, is seen as a valuable addition to the Cubs’ roster.
The 22-year-old infielder has been on the radar of many teams in recent years, thanks to his impressive performance in the minor leagues. Paredes made his major league debut with the Detroit Tigers in 2019 before being traded to the Rays in 2020. During his time with the Rays, Paredes continued to show his potential, hitting .258 with 5 home runs and 24 RBIs in 63 games.
The Cubs, who are looking to bolster their lineup and improve their defense, saw Paredes as a perfect fit for their team. With his ability to hit for power and get on base consistently, Paredes is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the Cubs’ offense. Additionally, his strong defensive skills at third base will help solidify the team’s infield defense.
In exchange for Paredes, the Cubs sent a package of prospects to the Rays, including a promising young pitcher and a highly touted outfielder. While it’s always tough to part ways with talented prospects, the Cubs felt that acquiring Paredes was worth the cost, given his potential to make an immediate impact at the major league level.
Overall, the acquisition of Isaac Paredes is a significant move for the Chicago Cubs as they look to compete in a competitive NL Central division. With his talent and potential, Paredes has the opportunity to become a key player for the Cubs in the years to come. Fans of the team are excited to see what he can bring to the table and how he will help the Cubs in their quest for a championship.