Grading the Cubs' 2024 Trade Deadline Deals

Trade 2

Cubs Acquire: 3B Isaac Paredes

Rays Acquire: INF Christopher Morel, RHP Hunter Bigge, RHP Ty Johnson 

This is Jed Hoyer being extremely aggressive in a deal that moves a fan favorite to the AL East. Paredes began his professional baseball journey as a Cub via the international signing period back in 2015. Paredes was shipped to Detriot with Jeimer Candelario for Justin Wilson and Alex Avila back in 2017. 

Since joining the Rays in 2022, Paredes has been a staple in the Tampa order. The 25-year-old made his first All-Star game this year, and his numbers back that selection. Paredes slashed .245/.357/.435 in 101 games. The infielder has clubbed 16 homers so far on the season and has driven in 55 runs. 

Paredes is coming off a 31-home run, 98 RBI season in a playoff season for the Rays. A big attraction with Paredes is the team control on his contract along with his higher contact rate. He doesn’t hit free agency until 2028, giving the Cubs three full seasons for the Hermosillo native. 

Losing Morel is certainly something Cub fans didn’t see coming. The spark plug got off to a hot start at the dish but has cooled off mightily since the season's first month. Morel hit under .200 in his 103 games with the Cubs this season, with his contact and strikeout rate being extremely inconsistent. His defense over at third base became an issue on occasion as well, which was something the club was looking to resolve in 2024. 

Bigge made his big league debut this season after being a 12th-round selection in 2019. The flame-thrower tossed in five games and had a 2.08 ERA across 4.2 innings. Bigge struck out five batters and had a 1.39 WHIP before this deal. He has the potential to be a very strong reliever, but the Cubs needed to give something to get someone of Paredes’ caliber. 

Johnson was a 15th-round pick of the Cubs last summer. The right-hander tossed 61.0 innings at Low-A Myrtle Beach this season and made 10 starts in his 18 total appearances. Johnson posted a 3.54 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP with a 1-4 record. 

Paredes brings power and stability to the Cubs order for a lengthy period. His strength and on-base ability should provide a significant boost to the Cubs' offense and improve their chances of contending in the future. The loss of Morel’s personality will be missed by Cub fans, but the new third baseman in Chicago should provide enough juice to help fans get over that quickly. 

Grade: A-