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What the Astros Picking Up Isaac Paredes’ Option Means for the 2027 Infield
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- What the Astros Picking Up Isaac Paredes’ Option Means for the 2027 Infield
(Troy Taormina-Imagn Images)
Image 1-2: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images, Image 3: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images, Image 4: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
The Houston Astros are heading into the 2027 season with a familiar ongoing problem. A crowded infield.
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So far, it is still looking crowded, but is that a problem?
Houston picked up Isaac Paredes's $13.35 million club option Monday. A good move for a clutch young player, but it didn't do the overcrowding any favors.
MLB Trade Rumors projected $15 million in arbitration, so the option saves about $1.65 million. Houston's projected payroll is about $211 million, well under the $247 million tax threshold, per the Houston Chronicle . Christian Walker is also expected to be around for the last year of his deal, and he is owed $20 million.
That said, keeping Paredes around was the right move. He is only 27, and in 2026 he hit .262 with 25 home runs and 94 RBI. He is a solid defender, though there is room for improvement, but he came in clutch at the plate following Yordan Alvarez. Paredes' value is at the plate, but he is also versatile, a third baseman and first baseman. With Walker likely gone after 2027, Paredes can step into first and fill the gap.
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Where he fits in for the 2027 season is where things get a little tricky. With Carlos Correa's return, there are not enough spots for all of their infielders.
Correa is a versatile player who can play both shortstop and third base. With Jeremy Peña at shortstop, where do these two third basemen fit in? Defensively, Correa has a strong track record as a former Gold Glove shortstop. That said, his injury history makes him a candidate for designated hitter to reduce the physical demands of playing in the field.
With Walker's contract expiring after 2027, the Astros could have more flexibility heading into 2028. For now, holding on to Walker, keeping Paredes at third, and revisiting the situation in 2028 may be Houston's best option. Rotating the position will likely not give these players the playing time they are looking for, but that option is still there.
My prediction is that there will be a trade; it is just hard to say who. Walker is hard to trade because of his limited no-trade clause. Now, just because the Astros locked in Paredes's salary doesn't mean they can't still trade him. It is looking more and more like Paredes or Peña might not be around next season, but it's hard to say which one will go.
Picking up Paredes's option was a smart value move, but the crowded infield could still cost Houston one of these players.
