Bleacher Report's suggested Cubs trade laughs at their MLB Trade Deadline decision

The biggest decision that the Chicago Cubs made at the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline was not to sell but rather deal the raw potential of Christopher Morel, along with a pair of pitching prospects, to the Tampa Bay Rays for a proven All-Star in Isaac Paredes.

It was a move made by the Cubs that was meant to cross off an item on their shopping list this offseason--acquiring a third baseman.

The early returns haven't been great. Through 146 plate appearances with the Cubs this season, Paredes is slashing .177/.288/.290 with an OPS+ of 64. Thought to be a move where the Cubs finally addressed their third base with a legitimate answer, the early impression is that the Cubs overlooked Paredes' struggles during his final month with the Rays prior to the trade.

Paredes isn't a free agent until 2028, and it would seem that the Cubs will pencil him in as the third baseman next season, but Bleacher Report thinks they should look elsewhere. While highlighting a trade that each Major League Baseball team should make, Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report suggests a move for a third baseman for the Cubs.

Isaac Paredes will need to be an answer at third base for the Cubs.

The suggestion from Miller was that the Cubs should have traded for Paul DeJong instead of Paredes, A move that would not have made sense for the Cubs, considering DeJong is a free agent after the season, and the Cubs were not in the position to trade for a rental bat this season.

Given how highly the Cubs valued Morel, Paredes is going to be given the chance to prove to be the answer at third base. Paredes' struggles to end the 2024 season won't be what leads the team to acquire a third baseman this offseason. The Cubs will need Paredes to return to his All-Star form. Otherwise, they may face the same offensive inconsistencies that they had this season. If Paredes falters at the start of next season, then it would likely be Matt Shaw as the next attempt at a third base solution.