Yes I think your right and you are way more skilled at talent evaluation than me but when evaluating the trade of Paredes + good draft pick for Meadows you have to keep in mind the return/value for dollar/salary spent. That is the Tampa way and why it is different than many teams especially Detroit. The money saved can be put to use for another asset. Maybe parades was just a two week flash but I don't think so and time will tell, I do know his 1.5 war tops all Tigers.
Personally I think Al Aviia and Chris Illitch cornered themselves with the "rebuild is over statement" and when Riley broke his foot Tampa took advantage to get a promising young player that fit their evaluation profile + a pretty high draft pick AND unload an expensive declining player to pad their budget. My guess is they spend that $$ at this years deadline.
Look I hope Meadows comes back next year and hits the 25 to 30 homers required to justify his salary and poor defense but I think we are stuck with "Robbie Grossman plus" for what 6 mil in 2023 and if the Tigers think he will fix the middle of our order we will be back in the same soup we are in now. Al sure will want to justify his trade like he did overplaying Demerite, Lugo, Willie Castro etc.