"A slam dunk move" - Cubs trading Christopher Morel to Rays for Isaac Paredes is an upgrade for team, per insider
On Sunday, the Chicago Cubs acquired Isaac Paredes on a trade move from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Christopher Morel and prospects Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson.
The Cubs are already out of the postseason race. On Monday. the team's president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, said they will focus on trades to improve the team for the future and not just for this season. It seems that the Paredes trade is indeed a plan set in motion for the upcoming seasons.
Paredes' move to the Cubs was a surprise as many teams like the Yankees, the Dodgers and others were rumored to be in for the star. He has been in decent form for the Rays this season as he slashed .247/ .355 /.438, along with 16 HRs and 55 RBIs.
In the latest episode of the Cubs Baseball Channel, podcaster Anthony Pasquale said that Paredes replacing Morel at the Cubs is an upgrade for the team.
"Isaac Paredes' slash line is better than Morel and let's just say how it is: better average, better on-base percentage, higher slugging percentage. He has more runs driven in, he is a better defender and he has a position at third base. It seems like a slam dunk move for the Cubs," Pasquale said. [3:20]
This season, Christopher Morel was featured in 103 games for the Cubs, hitting .199 with an OPS of .675, 18 home runs and 51 RBIs.
Cubs eyeing possible Blake Snell move following Isaac Paredes deal
The Chicago Cubs are reportedly interested in acquiring 2023 Cy Young winner Blake Snell's services. According to insider Jon Heyman, the Cubs are one of the clubs interested in signing the San Francisco Giants star before the trade deadline on Tuesday.
Snell had a rough start to the season but seems to have found his way back now. He is now showing all the promises of becoming a valued addition to the squad for the postseason or next season. Snell has started ten games for the Giants this season with a 0-3 record, 5.10 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 61 strikeouts.