A look at the additions gained in the Rays' Isaac Paredes trade with Cubs

On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Rays completed a trade that sent Isaac Paredes to the Chicago Cubs. In exchange, the Cubs sent utility man Christopher Morel to Tampa, as well as two pitchers in Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson.

So just what does Tampa Bay get in these three players as they send their 2024 All-Star out to Wrigley Field? Morel is the big headlining name to the Rays' additions in this trade. His play this season has not been anything great. He is currently batting .199 and he has not found an identity on defense, which has led to him moving around everywhere, despite playing a lot of third base like Paredes.

However, this can really come into play for Tampa Bay, a team with a ton of young and talented infielders in their loaded farm system. It is possible Morel can fill the role Arozarena left by playing left field. He certainly has the bat potential, as he broke out for power in 2023 with 26 home runs. Morel is an experiment, but he has the flash and bat work to become the next fan favorite in St. Pete.

Rays receive two intriguing pitchers in Isaac Paredes trade

Bigge is a big time arm talent. He has pitched in 3.1 innings for Chicago this season and has spent the rest of that time in the minors. In the minor leagues, through 15.1 innings of relief work, he has posted a 1.17 ERA and has struck out 23 batters while giving up an opposing batting average of .122. Tampa Bay has to be really excited about Bigge, as they can turn him into a standout relief pitcher. He also has closer potential, which would be helpful to have if Pete Fairbanks ends up leaving before the deadline comes.

Johnson is another pitching prospect who currently is at the High-A level. He moved there quickly from Low-A after pitching 33.2 innings for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. He posted 48 strikeouts over that stretch with an opposing batting average below .200. He has continued his hot start in High-A with the South Bend Cubs, starting six games and posting a 3.62 ERA. He has struck out 33 batters in 27.1 innings of work. A big focal point in Johnson's pitching is that he does not give up the long ball. So far in 2024, he has given up just two home runs all season out of 1,019 pitches thrown all year. He is a great soft contact pitcher that Tampa Bay can look to develop.

The Rays lose a fan favorite in Paredes. However, they gain a big name in Morel along with more pitching prospects to load up the farm system. After another trade on Sunday featuring Jason Adam, who brought in three top-15 prospects from within the Padres' system, the Rays farm system looks to take a big leap as one of the best in all of Major League Baseball.