Astros Shop Paredes Amid Infield Surplus

As the Houston Astros prepare for the 2026 season, general manager Dana Brown faces a crowded infield that has placed third baseman Isaac Paredes squarely on the trade market. Despite persistent rumors throughout the offseason, no deal has materialized for the 27-year-old, who is projected to begin the year on the Opening Day roster amid a surplus of talent at the position.

Paredes, acquired by the Astros in December 2024 as part of the package that sent outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs, enjoyed a strong debut season in Houston last year. In 102 games, he batted .254 with 20 home runs and 53 RBIs, showcasing the power that has averaged 29 homers per 162 games since 2022. However, with established players like Jose Altuve at second base, Carlos Correa at shortstop, Jeremy Peña also in the mix, and Christian Walker at first, opportunities for regular at-bats are limited. Brown has signed Paredes to a one-year, $9.35 million contract to avoid arbitration, but the team views him as expendable in pursuit of outfield help.

The Astros' primary target in any Paredes deal is an established left-handed hitting outfielder to address a roster imbalance. Discussions have centered...