Cantu: Isaac Paredes crucial to Astros’ 2026 hopes

The Astros have toyed with the idea of trading All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes this off-season, and with good reason. The Astros still have holes they need to fill if they want to return to the playoffs and win the AL West, which they have won seven times in the past nine years.

However, given the Astros roster’s injury history, it wouldn’t be wise to trade their 26-year-old third baseman.

Isaac Paredes manned third base for 89 games last season while earning his second consecutive All-Star nod. With the addition of Carlos Correa at the trade deadline, Correa is Houston’s primary third basemen now.

Christian Walker, even with his down year, is a lock at first base. Jeremy Peña is settled in at shortstop. Now, that leaves second base, where the Astros platooned club icon Jose Altuve and Mauricio Dubon through the season. Dubon was traded for Nick Allen, so Altuve is set to stay primarily at second base. 

Puzzle pieces

The Hermosillo, Sonora, native showed glimpses that he can handle second base duties in last year’s spring training. Paredes won the quickest hands to first competition against Luis Guillorme and Dubon. Altuve had 51 appearances in left field.

Given Yordan Alvarez’s past knee and ankle injuries, the Astros may be reluctant to give him many opportunities in the outfield. Jesus Sanchez and rookie Zach Cole could potentially see chances in left as well. 

Even if the Astros decide to play Altuve consistently at second baseball, Paredes could alternate between designated hitter, first and third base. With the long 162-game season, and the lengthy injury history of Correa and Alvarez, it wouldn’t be a disastrous idea giving those veterans a breather every now and then. That would mean Alvarez playing left field a little more than usual.

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The case for the Astros to trade Isaac Paredes is their need for a left-handed hitter, which is a valid necessity. Besides Alvarez, the 2022 World Series champs don’t have another significant lefty in the lineup who has shown consistently at the plate.

Cole emerged into the spotlight as a September call-up and left a lasting impression on the organization. Sanchez’s struggles at the plate, especially against southpaws, have the Astros wondering where the production from the left side of the plate will come. 

Patience is key for Isaac Paredes

The Boston Red Sox had surfaced as potential suitors for the Mexican All-Star before turning their attention to Milwaukee’s Caleb Durbin.

Isaac Paredes is the No. 8 third baseman on @MLBNow's #Top10RightNow. pic.twitter.com/BKwLkpmMpX

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 5, 2026

Paredes’ patient approach at the plate helps balance the aggressive line up. The young slugger drew 76 walks in 2024 with the Cubs and Rays. In half a season with the Astros he walked 50 times, placing second best on the team behind Altuve (55). He also sees an above average of pitches per plate appearances. 

If a trade does occur for Isaac Paredes, the Astros will also need to receive a young starting pitcher to make the trade worthwhile. They will also have the same issue in the outfield like they do currently in the infield. Houston already has Cam Smith, Jake Meyers, Zach Dezenzo, Sanchez and Alvarez competing for positions in the outfield. 

Unless the Astros could receive a starting outfielder and a young pitcher for Paredes, and possibly a prospect Houston would have to include, trading Paredes doesn’t make the team better. Paredes gives the Astros a solid chance to win the AL West in return to the playoffs.