MLB trade grade: Tigers trade Isaac Parades to Rays for Austin Meadows
By Scott Rogust
Ahead of Opening Day, the Detroit Tigers made a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, acquiring outfielder Austin Meadows for prospect Isaac Paredes.
The Detroit Tigers made some big moves heading into the 2022 season. First, they signed a new shortstop in Javier Baez. Then, they named top prospect Spencer Torkelson the team’s starting first baseman for Opening Day. With the start of the season just days away, the Tigers made one more big move.
On Monday, the Tigers acquired outfielder Austin Meadows from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for shortstop prospect Isaac Paredes and a Competitive Balance Round B draft pick.
#Rays trade Meadows to #Tigers
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 5, 2022
#Rays get INF Isaac Paredes and a Competitive Balance Round B draft pick from #Tigers for Meadows
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 5, 2022
MLB trade grades: Tigers get Austin Meadows from Rays for Isaac Paredes
Tigers trade grade: A-
The Tigers are going all in to compete in the AL Central this season, and that is evident by the move for Meadows. He made a name for himself in the 2019 season, being named to the All Star team in his first full season with the Rays. Meadows only played in 36 games in the truncated 2020 season. This past season, he recorded a .234 batting average and a .772 OPS, but hit 27 home runs and knocked in 106 runs.
Detroit is obviously banking on Meadows to return to his 2019 form. Perhaps what makes the deal more favorable for the Tigers is that the outfielder is under team control for the next three seasons before he hits unrestricted free agency. Either way, it shows that the Tigers are all-in on competing for their first postseason berth since 2014.
Rays trade grade: B
When it comes to the Rays, they are among the best at evaluating talent and scouting prospects. With that, they obviously saw something in Paredes, who has playing experience at second base, third base and shortstop.
Paredes played a total of 57 games with the Tigers in the past two seasons, where he slashed .215/.290/.302 while recording two home runs, 11 RBI and 37 hits. In the minors last year, Paredes recorded a .260 batting average, a .844 OPS, 12 home runs and 44 RBI in 75 games.
As for the draft pick, that is expected to land after the fifth-pick after the second-round, which would be in the late 60’s, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Given the Rays’ success at evaluating talent, they receive a B.
Next. Julio Rodriguez’s dad lets the tears flow after son makes Mariners Opening Day roster. dark