KANSAS CITY -- Isaac Paredes is returning to where it all started, but it wasn¡¯t an easy decision for the Cubs to make.

Days after president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer signaled the team was looking towards 2025 and beyond, Chicago made its second move in as many days by acquiring Rays third baseman Paredes, the club announced on Sunday during its 7-3 series-clinching win against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. In return, the Cubs are sending fan-favorite Christopher Morel and prospects Ty Johnson and Hunter Bigge (Chicago¡¯s No. 29-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline) to the Rays.

On Saturday, the Cubs acquired pitcher Nate Pearson from Toronto.

¡°As we have stated, our goal is to add players that will help us not just this season, but into the future,¡± Hoyer said in a statement announcing the trade. ¡°In the last two days, we feel we have worked toward that by trading for those types of controllable players. Acquiring Paredes adds a proven bat to our lineup immediately and for years to come.¡±

Paredes originally signed with the Cubs for $500,000 out of Mexico in 2015, and now returns to the club that gave him a chance to break into the Majors.

TRADE DETAILS
Cubs receive: 3B Isaac Paredes
Rays receive: INF Christopher Morel, RHP Hunter Bigge (Cubs No. 29 prospect), RHP Ty Johnson

But it didn¡¯t come without the Cubs losing a core piece. Morel, who was batting fifth as the designated hitter Sunday, hugged teammates and coaches during the third and fourth innings in an emotional goodbye before making his departure. The 25-year old, known for his energetic personality, has already provided Cubs fans with incredible moments such as his walk-off home run against the White Sox last season despite playing in the big leagues for just over two years.

¡°It¡¯s always a little bit strange telling someone during the game that they¡¯ve been traded,¡± manager Craig Counsell said. ¡°It was certainly surprising and shocking to Chris. He¡¯s provided Cubs fans with a lot of memories, for sure, even in a short time here.

¡°[Morel] has an outlook and demeanor that makes it fun to be around him. He loves playing, and that joy, his outlook on life, it¡¯s certainly his present no matter what¡¯s going on. No matter how he¡¯s playing, no matter how the team¡¯s playing, no matter what¡¯s going on, it¡¯s indicated by how he treats people. He¡¯s an example for all of us in that regard.¡±

Morel, who had been playing exclusively at third base or DH this season, is batting just .199 with a .675 OPS in 103 games this season. He¡¯s shown flashes of what he¡¯s capable of at his best, smacking 26 homers to go with an .821 OPS last season, but the Cubs had been looking for an offensive upgrade at third.

Morel posted on his Instagram story a photo of him in a Cubs uniform with the caption: ¡°Right now I can¡¯t think or speak, tears are coming out, but my soul and my heart will always be in Chicago, Philippians 4:13.¡±

¡°Once I left the game, that¡¯s when I found out,¡± said Javier Assad, who tossed a quality start against the Royals. ¡°I did get a chance to talk to him after the game, to get a chance to say goodbye. ¡­ He's a good friend of mine on the field and outside, and now he's onto a new journey.¡±

The replacement is Paredes, who earned his first All-Star nod this season and was one of the biggest bats on the market. He will look to spark a Cubs lineup that has struggled mightily since the start of May. The 25-year-old is slashing .245/.357/.435 with 16 homers and 55 RBIs in 101 games this season.

Paredes hit a career-high 31 home runs and drove in 98 runs a year ago and won¡¯t be a free agent until 2028. He¡¯s tapped into his pull-side power, which gives Chicago the production it was lacking at the third-base position. His 16 homers this season are tied with Ian Happ for the team lead, and the Cubs don¡¯t see an issue with how that power will translate at Wrigley Field.

Sunday¡¯s move was one of the league¡¯s biggest ahead of Tuesday¡¯s Trade Deadline, and the Cubs may not be done, buying or selling. Chicago could look to improve offensively at catcher and on the mound, with the club being linked to Giants starter Blake Snell, or trade its plethora of relievers.

But no matter how the rest of the Deadline goes, the Cubs believe they made a significant step towards competing in not only ¡®24, but ¡®25 and beyond.

¡°He¡¯s always been a great player,¡± said Assad, who got to know Paredes during their time in Mexico and when both were in the Cubs¡¯ organization. ¡°The numbers speak for themselves. Everybody he goes up against he always does really well. So happy for him.¡±