Cubs get All-Star in MLB deadline deal with Rays

The Chicago Cubs promised this week that they would only trade players for the future, and not make short-term rentals. On Sunday, they made good on that promise by acquiring All-Star infielder Isaac Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays ahead of the MLB trade deadline.

The Cubs, who are also listening to offers for veteran starter Jameson Taillon and other relievers ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, sent third baseman Christopher Morel, reliever Hunter Bigge and pitching prospect Ty Johnson to the Rays in the deal.

“Our goal is to add players who will help us not only this season, but also in the future,” Cubs president Jed Hoyer said Sunday. “The acquisition of Paredes adds a proven hitter to our lineup immediately and for years to come.”

The Cubs believed Morel would be their power-hitting third baseman of the future, but he struggled (.199, 18 homers, .675 OPS), particularly defensively, and they traded him. They now have an infielder in Paredes, who is hitting .245 with 16 homers and a .792 OPS, and isn’t eligible for free agency until after the 2027 season. He’s making $3.4 million this year.

Interestingly, the Rays tried to acquire Morel during talks for starter Tyler Glasnow the winter before sending him to the Dodgers. And the Cubs originally signed Paredes as an amateur.

Paredes is the sixth player traded by the Rays this month, four of whom have been traded in recent days, joining Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale, Phil Maton and Jason Adam.

While the Rays (54-52) are clearly in selling mode despite being just 3 ½ games out of a wild-card spot, the Cubs (50-56) still haven’t officially decided whether to go in or out. The Cubs are still expected to be sellers and move multiple pitchers — especially since this is clearly a seller’s market — but they also sit six games back of a wild-card spot.

The deadline for transactions is Tuesday at 6:00 PM ET.

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Cubs get All-Star in MLB deadline deal with Rays

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