The Chicago Cubs, a team expected to be sellers at the trade deadline, shocked MLB on Sunday when it acquired All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays.
Tampa Bay Rays All-Star Isaac Paredes was traded before MLB’s deadline, but it wasn’t the team anyone expected.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and other clubs expected to make the postseason were all over Paredes‘ market, but it was the Chicago Cubs swooping in to land the third baseman.
The Rays accepted a package that revolves around Christopher Morel, the 25-year-old third baseman who has tons of power but has struggled in his third MLB season in Chicago.
Tampa Bay is also receiving right-hander Hunter Bigge, the Cubs’ 29th-ranked prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and right-hander Ty Johnson.
Morel is slashing just .199/.302/.374 this year, though he has 18 homers and 51 RBI over 102 games. Perhaps a different type of scenery with the Rays can unlock the Morel the Cubs saw last year, as he finished with 26 homers and an .
