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By Matt Levine
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Chicago Cubs landed All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays out of the blue. ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan was among the first to break the news on social media.
Before being dealt to the Cubs, Paredes had been linked to the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. Passan has reported that the Rays are receiving Christopher Morel and a pair of prospects for Paredes.
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Morel has hit .199 with 18 home runs and 51 runs batted in this season for Chicago. He has appeared in 103 games and will now be a big part of Tampa Bay's future.
The two prospects have now been reported as right-handers Ty Johnson and Hunter Bigge, according to The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma. Bigge has played in 12 games for the Cubs Triple-A affiliate, posting an ERA of 0.68 in 13.1 innings of work. Johnson has played for the Single-A club, putting up an ERA of 3.62 over 27.1 innings of work.
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Paredes now heads to the Cubs as they look to make a push for the postseason. Currently, Chicago has a record of 50-56 and is last place in the National League Central. They are six games back of the final wild card spot, so the addition of Paredes was made to help.
Even if Chicago isn't able to get into the playoffs, the All-Star infielder is under team control for three more seasons. He is only 25 years old and may be entering his prime. In the year, Paredes hit .245 with 16 home runs and 55 runs batted in.
He has spent most of this season at third base and now figures to take over for Morel. Paredes is a strong defender, and the Cubs have been looking for better defense from the hot corner.
The right-hander has provided some nice power for the Rays lineup and slots in within a more potent Cubs lineup. Alongside Cody Bellinger and Dansby Swanson, Paredes looks to give Chicago another solid bat for opposing teams to deal with.
Chicago has also been rumored to be open to dealing shortstop Nico Hoerner and may be more included with this addition. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Dodgers have been in trade talks with Chicago to land Hoerner as they deal with their own infield issues.
"No wonder they're in trade talks trying to acquire Nico Hoerner of the Cubs..."
Chicago wants to have at least a chance this season while betting big on Paredes long-term. They made this deal out of nowhere, leaving other teams scrambling for help as the trade deadline approaches.
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