MLB

Cubs receive: 3B Isaac Paredes

Rays receive: 3B Christopher Morel, RP Hunter Bigge and SP Ty Johnson

Jed Hoyer wasn’t kidding when he stated the Cubs would target players that could help in 2025 and beyond. Under team control through 2027, Paredes fits that notion, but he’ll help Chicago this season, too. In 101 games this season, the third baseman has posted a .245 batting average, 16 home runs and 55 RBI. For now, Paredes is a big upgrade over the Cubs’ outgoing third baseman, Christopher Morel.

Speaking of Morel, it’s now on the Rays to mold the 25-year-old into a solid regular. Talent isn’t the issue with Morel – he boasts power and an impressive set of tools. As of now, though. the third baseman lacks polish, as evidenced by his .199 average.

The Rays are inching towards a fire sale, but this is what they do — get younger and cheaper every chance possible. It’s been an effective strategy for the low-budget organization.

Hunter Bigge is the biggest non-Morel piece of this transaction for Tampa Bay, and I’d expect him to join the club’s bullpen immediately.

Cubs Grade: B+

Rays Grade: C-

Padres receive: RP Jason Adam

Rays receive: SP Dylan Lesko, CF Homer Bush Jr. and C J.D. Gonzalez

San Diego is creeping into contender territory, so grabbing a lockdown reliver like Adam makes sense. The right-hander has been terrific in 2024, posting a 2.49 ERA over 47 outings.

Adam has two years of team control remaining after this season, giving him more value than a typical rental relief pitcher. That doesn’t make up for the cost of this transaction for the Padres. For the 32-year-old’s services, Padres general manager A.J. Preller is surrendering a bounty.

Lesko, Bush Jr. and Gonzalez are all relevant prospects leaving the San Diego organization, bolstering an always-strong Rays system.

Padres Grade: C-

Rays Grade: A-

Rays 2, Reds 1

Tampa Bay keeps moving pieces, yet the wins keep coming. I suppose that’s why the Rays have been one of MLB’s better organizations for the past decade or so — constantly churning the roster by adding younger, cheaper players. At 54-52, however, the postseason is still a long shot for the Rays, who are 3 1/2 games back of the third American League wild-card spot.

The Reds wasted a gem from Hunter Greene in this game. The 24-year-old has quickly become of one of baseball’s best starters, and he was magnificent again yesterday, tossing seven scoreless frames to drop his ERA to 2.97.

A problem for Cincinnati remains the bullpen, as it cost the Reds another game yesterday. The culprit this time was Fernando Cruz, who allowed two earned runs in the eighth inning.