DETROIT — Isaac Paredes and the Chicago Cubs had a brief reunion. The former infielder for the Detroit Tigers is once again in the news after being traded to the Houston Astros on Tuesday in exchange for outfielder Kyle Tucker. The transaction also includes prospects Cam Smith and right-hander Hayden Wesneski going to Houston. Paredes was acquired by the Cubs from the Tampa Bay Rays in July. Paredes was traded to the Tigers on July 31, 2017, along with third baseman Jeimer Candelario, in exchange for left-handed reliever Justin Wilson and catcher Alex Avila. Paredes was originally signed by Chicago out of Mexico in 2015.
The transaction also includes prospects Cam Smith and right-hander Hayden Wesneski going to Houston. Paredes was acquired by the Cubs from the Tampa Bay Rays in July.
Paredes was traded to the Tigers on July 31, 2017, along with third baseman Jeimer Candelario, in exchange for left-handed reliever Justin Wilson and catcher Alex Avila. Paredes was originally signed by Chicago out of Mexico in 2015.
One of the best transactions during the reign of former general manager Al Avila was the trade involving his son. Paredes may have made one of his worst decisions in 2022 when he decided to split from him in response to Riley Greene’s unanticipated spring training injury.
Shortly before Opening Day in 2022, the Tiger traded Paredes to the Rays for Austin Meadows, an outfielder.
In 2020 and 2021, Paredes played intermittently for the Tigers but was never able to establish a regular position. However, he soon established himself as a valuable member of the Rays. In 571 plate appearances in 2023, he had 98 RBIs and 31 home runs. He played every position on the infield and recorded an OPS of.840 (131 OPS+). Paredes struggled with the trade to Chicago, but he did make his first appearance on the All-Star team in 2024. It’s unclear what his job with the Astros is. Paredes can take Alex Bregman’s place if Houston doesn’t re-sign the talented third baseman. However, Paredes would also suit at first base if the Astros were to bring back Bregman.