Cubs Land Isaac Paredes From Rays For Christopher Morel, Two Pitching Prospects
Image credit: Isaac Paredes (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
The Rays continued their roster renovation Sunday by sending third baseman Isaac Paredes to the Cubs for third baseman Christopher Morel, reliever Hunter Bigge and sleeper pitching prospect Ty Johnson.
The move gives Chicago an upgrade at the hot corner in Paredes, who is not a free agent until 2028, while the Rays add a similarly cost-controlled replacement, as well as a pair of prospects. Tampa Bay, in the unfamiliar position compared to recent years as a seller, has now dealt righthander Zach Elfin (Orioles), outfielder Randy Arozarena (Mariners) and reliever Jason Adam (Padres) at the deadline.
CUBS RECEIVE
Isaac Paredes, INF
Age: 25
Though his production has steadily slowed over the course of the season, Paredes is still Tampa Bay’s leader in home runs (16), RBIs (51), on-base percentage (.353) and fWAR (2.9). The perennially-competitive Rays haven’t been sellers in recent years, but it makes sense for them to try and move Paredes, who has three more years of arbitration eligibility coming up. If teams can get past the idea of being taken for a ride in another trade with the Rays, Paredes offers solid value. The 2024 All-Star is a big-time pull-hitter, and while his bat speed and exit velocities won’t drop any jaws, he hit 30 homers a year ago, and his .792 OPS is nothing to sneeze at.
RAYS RECEIVE
Age: 25
Morel was the Cubs’ everyday third baseman, though he has struggled to hit this season. At the time of the deal, he was slashing .199/.302/.373 with 18 home runs and 51 RBIs. He has some of the best bat speed in the sport and produces strong but not spectacular exit velocities. His range is well below-average at third base, but he has more than enough arm strength to handle the position. If he can get the ball in the air more often, he can maximize his bat speed and the impact it produces. He is not a free agent until 2029.
Ty Johnson, RHP
Age: 22
Johnson was the Cubs’ 15th round pick in 2023 out of Ball State. He’s split his season between both of Chicago’s affiliates in Class A and has missed plenty of bats at both stops. The big, physical righthander works with four- and two-seam fastballs backed up by a slider and changeup. The four-seamer has peaked at 98 mph, while the slider and changeup both sit in the mid-80s. His swinging-strike rate of 17.3% is the highest among any Cubs farmhand with at least 60 innings pitched and seventh overall in the minors among pitchers in the minors within the same workload parameters.
Hunter Bigge, RHP
Age: 26
Bigge is a physical reliever whom the Cubs selected out of Harvard in the 12th round of the 2019 draft. He made his big league debut on July 9 and has pitched 4.1 innings over five appearances. He overpowers hitters with a high-octane fastball that has reached 99 mph in the minor leagues this season, and he backs it primarily with a pitch that rides the line between a slider and a cutter, as well as a curveball. The harder breaking ball sits in the in mid 80s, while the curve is a low-80s offering.
