In a trade that seemed to have rocked the baseball world. The Chicago Cubs have acquired Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Isaac Paredes in exchange for Christopher Morel, as well as pitchers Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson. If you’ve read much of my recent writing, you’ll know that I’ve been urging Jed Hoyer to get off his duff and make a decision. And he’s done it.
And I applaud him for this.
Paredes improves the Cubs right now and guarantees the third base position for 2025. It also frees up the DH spot for someone else. Like Seiya Suzuki. And if Suzuki plays designated hitter, another outfielder can fill the spot. Someone like Cody Bellinger.
Of course, Bellinger may still be dealt, but with the DH position free, he is a better match for the Cubs. If Bellinger is moved, a spot opens up for AAA outfielder Owen Caissie. Both possibilities are intriguing. Assuming Bellinger stays, the Cubs’ defence appears to be good. Take a peek.
C: Christian Bethancourt and Miguel Amaya
1B: Michael Busch.
2B: Nico Hoerner.
SS: Dansby Swanson.
3B: Isaac Paredes.
LF: Ian Happ.
CF: Peter Crow-Armstrong
RF: Mike Tauchman.
DH: Seiya Suzuki.
Looks excellent to me.
Regarding the losses…
From the Cubs’ perspective, the move is not risk free. Christopher Morel might become an offensive monster. And that is fine. By all accounts, he is a wonderful person. However, he has not performed well this season, and his lack of a defensive position makes him difficult to play. Isaac Paredes does something paradoxical. It stabilizes the lineup while also increasing flexibility.
The Cubs also traded Hunter Bigge to the Rays. Bigge appears to be a relief pillar in the making. In addition, the Cubs will send relief pitching prospect Ty Johnson to the Rays. So, certainly, the Cubs may come to regret making this transaction. But, personally, I am not concerned about what happens beyond 2025. It’s about time the Cubs moved their chips to the centre of the table.
A nagging question
There is some anxiety about the Cubs trading Hunter Bigge. I’m curious why it took Jed Hoyer and Craig Counsell so long to make even internal improvements, given Bigge’s talent and the Cubs bullpen’s poor performance.
Speaking of the bullpen...
The Cubs have recently acquired relief pitcher Nate Pearson from the Blue Jays. Prospects Yohendrick Pinango and Josh Rivera were sacrificed. Given the circumstances, I like the move. Pinango and Rivera may return to haunt the Cubs, but not for a long.
I’ve frequently stated that the Cubs are a collection of ill-fitting pieces. At least now, the pieces should fit together better.
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