The Houston Astros have a logjam in their infield.

Infielder Isaac Paredes currently does not have a set position in Houston. Infielder Carlos Correa was re-acquired at the 2025 trade deadline after Paredes landed on the Injured List due to a strained right hamstring. Jose Altuve is back where he belongs at second base, and Jeremy Pena is entrenched at short. First baseman Christian Walker struggled in 2025, but as he is due another $40 million over the next two years, the Astros are likely to allow him to return to form.

As Paredes does not have a clear path to a starting role, it is not a surprise that he would be on the trade block. To that end, Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that at least five teams, including the Red Sox and Pirates, have engaged the Astros in trade talks.

Trading Isaac Paredes could help Houston Astros fill other roster needs

Paredes had a solid showing for the Astros in 2025. He posted a .254/.352/.458 batting line in his 438 plate appearances, hitting 20 homers and 15 doubles. That type of production would fit well for the Red Sox and Pirates, both of whom have attempted to upgrade at the hot corner throughout the offseason.

The Red Sox essentially have themselves to blame for their opening at third. They reportedly did not believe that Alex Bregman had an offer from the Cubs and refused to match. The Red Sox have been linked to third baseman Eugenio Suarez and infielders Bo Bichette, Brendan Donovan and Ketel Marte, although they have come up empty in each attempt.

The same holds true for the Pirates. The Pirates have actively worked to improve their lineup, acquiring second baseman Brandon Lowe and outfielders Nick Mangum and Jhostynxon Garcia while signing first baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn to a two-year, $29 million contract. However, third base is still a potential black hole in the lineup as projected starter Jared Triolo posted an 86 OPS+ (major league average is 100) in his 376 plate appearances in 2025.

Paredes can also help the Astros fill their own hole in the lineup. The Astros have reportedly been looking for a left-handed-hitting outfielder. As Rosenthal and Rome noted, the Red Sox may be willing to move outfielder Jarren Duran, although the Astros reportedly prefer Wilyer Abreu. If the Astros do trade Paredes, they may find the answer they have been looking for in the outfield.