MLB Trade Rumors: 2 Teams To Watch For Rays' 3B Isaac Paredes

A $2.7 million raise in arbitration is enough to put a player in the Tampa Bay Rays' bad books, even if he is one of their top hitters.

That's exactly the situation Issac Paredes finds himself in right now, as he is gaining steam as a trade candidate this summer.

The third baseman (who can also play other infield positions) is off to another tremendous start to the season, batting .300 with eight home runs, 22 RBIs a .901 OPS and a tremendous OPS+ of 160. Last year, he broke out big-time with 31 long balls, and 98 runs driven in. He even received a handful of MVP votes.

Paredes reached arbitration this year for the first time and saw his salary jump from $735,000 in 2023 to $3.4 million this season. And it's only going to go up considerably again next winter. The cost-conscious Rays are already looking for a way out.

Let's have a look at two teams that would make a world of sense to deal for Paredes:

Toronto Blue Jays

The woefully inept offense of the Jays is 24th in baseball in homers, and 23rd in OPS. At third base, they're using Isiah Kiner-Falefa and rookie Ernie Clement. Think Paredes would be an improvement? Yes, we think so, too. The only problem is, Toronto's farm system is not exactly bursting with top prospects, and the very few that they do have, it would hard for them to give up in a trade.

Seattle Mariners

Josh Rojas has been off to a rip-roaring start to the season at third base for Seattle, batting .343. But let's face it, he is Josh Rojas, and we know that's going to come back down to earth. His bat speed is in the 3rd percentile, and his career OPS+, even with this season's robust start, still sits at a below-average 97. His BABIP is an unsustainable .407.

Eventually, the M's are going to come looking for help at the hot corner, they do need some more pop in their lineup, and perhaps Paredes will be their man.