The Chicago Cubs entered play Sunday six games behind in the National League wild-card race and 10 games behind in the Central Division, but they shocked the baseball world by acquiring Isaac Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays.
In exchange, the Cubs sent third baseman Christopher Morel and a pair of prospects to the Rays, leaving some fans wondering what their strategy was ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.
The Cubs, who enter play in last place in the Central Division and six games out of the wild-card race Sunday, aren’t exactly preparing for a furious sprint to the finish line, but Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer released a statement explaining the deal.
“As we’ve said, our goal is to add players that will help us not only this season, but in the future,” he said. “Over the last couple of days, we feel like we’ve been working toward that goal by making trades to get those types of controllable players. Acquiring Paredes adds a proven hitter to our lineup immediately and for years to come.”
Paredes is just 25 and in his fifth season. He will be under team control for three more seasons and will make just $3.4 million this year.
He has 16 homers and 55 RBIs so far this season, and has made 78 starts at third base, giving the Cubs a bona fide star at the position.
The Cubs also made a splash Saturday by acquiring reliever Nate Pearson from the Toronto Blue Jays. Pearson is also under team control through the end of the 2026 season, giving the Cubs a solid relief pitcher in their bullpen for the foreseeable future.
NBC Chicago
