When the Tampa Bay Rays obtained Isaac Paredes from Detroit just before the 2022 season started, many in baseball saw it mainly as a straightforward trade for outfielder Austin Meadows. The Tigers had struggled to develop the young infielder, who scored only two home runs in a brief 57-game stint in Michigan. In contrast, the Rays' front office recognized Paredes as a hitter with exceptional pull-side instincts, making him ideally suited for Tropicana Field.
The change of scenery quickly revealed Paredes' potential. Moving around the diamond to cover first, second, and third bases, he brought an unexpected boost of power to the lineup, hitting 20 home runs in 111 games during his 2022 debut. He not only found his footing but also became an essential high-leverage weapon for Kevin Cash.
That initial surge paved the way for a spectacular breakout in 2023. Paredes became the team's offensive focal point, hitting 31 home runs and driving in 98 runs with a strong .488 slugging percentage. He utilized a unique ability to pull the ball with significant lift, making him one of the most effective home run threats in the American League and earning MVP support in voting. In 2024, he confirmed his stardom by earning his first selection to the American League All-Star team.
However, as the Rays slid out of the postseason race by midsummer, the front office executed a typical, forward-looking maneuver. Ahead of the July trade deadline, they traded the freshly minted All-Star to the Chicago Cubs for Christopher Morel and a pair of pitching prospects, capitalizing on Paredes' skyrocketing market value.
With Tampa, Paredes played 355 games, with 280 hits, 67 home runs, and 198 RBIs. He had a .234/.338/448 slash line and a 124 OPS+.
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