Newly Acquired Cubs Player Ranked as One of Top Players at His Position

The Chicago Cubs might have made one of the most interesting moves at the MLB Trade Deadline at the end of July. With Cubs President Jed Hoyer going on record stating they would be more focused on improving the team for 2025 and beyond, the team moved on from Christopher Morel and a few pitching prospects in exchange for Isaac Paredes of the Tampa Bay Rays.

The two players comparatively have the same contract and are the same age, but Paredes has proven more production over the past few seasons. And it's not only the Cubs who have noticed.

In a recent poll done by Bleacher Report ranking the top players in baseball based on position, Paredes was featured as one of the top third basemen in the league. He is considered the sixth best right fielder as writer Joel Reuter listed his top ten across the league.

Top 10 Third Basemen - According to Bleacher Report (August 2024)
1. Rafael Devers , BOS
2. José Ramírez , CLE
3. Alec Bohm , PHI
4. Matt Chapman , SF
5. Josh Smith , TEX
6. Isaac Paredes , CHC
7. Ryan McMahon , COL
8. Austin Riley , ATL
9. Manny Machado , SD
10. Mark Vientos , NYM

Paredes has had a slower start to August as he begins his first full month with his new team. Heading into Saturday, he is currently hitting .167/.212/.367 with two homers and seven RBIs. His strikeout percentage is still one of the better ones across the league at 15.9% (the league average in 2024 is 22.2%).

The Cubs (58-60) are hanging on as they are only four games outside of the final wildcard spot in the National League. They will need help from players like Paredes if they hope to continue to play meaningful games into September and possibly the MLB postseason in 2024.