Cubs obtain INF Rays player Isaac Paredes for third base Two lower league players and Christopher Morel

In exchange for third baseman Christopher Morel and two minor leaguers on Sunday, the Chicago Cubs received All-Star infielder Isaac Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays.

In 101 games this season, Paredes is hitting.245 with 16 home runs and 55 RBIs. In 2015, he signed an amateur free agent contract with Chicago; however, he was moved to Detroit two years later, and in 2020, he made his major league debut with the Tigers.

With their sights set on the future rather than the trade deadline on Tuesday, the Cubs moved Morel and right-handers Ty Johnson and Hunter Bigge to the Rays.

With 26 home runs, 70 RBIs, and a batting average of.247 in the previous season, the 25-year-old Morel reached career highs; but, he has not performed well this year.

He is a unique person. Morel’s energy and grin will be missed, according to Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.

“A guy showing up in the clubhouse every day is a guy reaching his full potential as Christopher Morel.” Even though he had eighteen home runs, I don’t think he was hitting as well as he could have.

For Sunday’s game against Kansas City, Morel was the designated hitter. He appeared in the second and participated in a few hugs at the bottom of the third inning in the Cubs dugout. In the fourth, a pinch hitter took his place.

“Telling someone they’ve been traded during a game usually seems awkward. Chris found it stunning and unexpected, according to Cubs manager Craig Counsell.

It is enjoyable to be around him because of his attitude and mannerisms. He enjoys playing, and regardless of the circumstances, he always has a positive attitude on life. It’s evident in the way he handles people.

Bigge, 26, was selected from Harvard University in the 12th round of the 2019 amateur draft. In his four major league relief appearances this month, he has a 2.70 ERA and no record.

An All-Star bat was added to the Chicago Cubs lineup in an effort to maintain their position in the National League wild-card playoff competition.

According to sources who spoke with Yahoo Sports, Isaac Paredes is headed from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Chicago Cubs. It’s the third baseman who is at bat.16 home runs, 19 doubles, 55 RBI, and a.793 OPS in 425 plate appearances this season have put him at 247.

Paredes, 25, rejoins the Cubs via this trade after being signed by them in 2015 as an amateur free agency out of Mexico. Before being dealt to the Detroit Tigers, he spent two seasons as a player in the Chicago system.

After this season, the Cubs will have him under contract for three more seasons since he will become eligible for arbitration next season. Paredes should be Chicago’s third baseman for the foreseeable future and is probably not a short-term rental.

The Rays have been in the AL East for years, and trading Paredes is just the most recent example of them shipping away important players before the MLB trade deadline. Randy Arozarena, a powerful hitter, was released by Tampa Bay earlier this week and sent to the Seattle Mariners. The organization then dealt pitcher Zach Eflin, who finished first in the AL in wins the previous season, to the Baltimore Orioles in the division. In addition, the San Diego Padres acquired reliever Jason Adam.

Paredes is a more dependable right-handed bat in the middle of the order, so he adds some balance to the Cubs’ lineup, though it is unclear how his power will translate to Wrigley Field. Because he spent his career playing a variety of spots around the infield, he also offers some defensive versatility.

According to Ken Rosenthal and Tyler Kepner of The Athletic, the Rays will acquire minor-league pitchers Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson along with third baseman Christopher Morel in return. With a.676 OPS, 18 home runs, 51 RBI, and seven stolen bases, Morel, 25, is hitting just.199. The Rays will have four seasons of control over Morel with one more season left before he becomes eligible for arbitration, which is a significant factor for them.

Bigge, 26, recorded 20 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings and posted a 0.68 ERA before being called up to the majors earlier this month. In his four Cubs appearances, he struck out five batters in 3 1/3 innings. The 22-year-old Johnson is playing professional baseball for the first time and has moved up from low-A to high-A. In 18 appearances (10 starts), he has a 3.54 ERA overall with 81 strikeouts in 61 innings pitched.

With five teams ahead of them in the standings, including three of their NL Central rivals, the Cubs were six games out of the final wild-card playoff place in the National League as of Sunday. Although Paredes’ addition might improve their chances this season, it also seems like a long-term strategy.