The Astros have locked in Isaac Paredes for 2027, picking up his $13.35 million club option on Monday evening after a season that gave Houston plenty of reason to keep him around.
Paredes delivered in his first full year with the club, hitting .262/.360/.447 with an .806 OPS over 155 games. He finished with 25 home runs, 27 doubles, one triple and 94 RBIs, and that RBI total tied for sixth in the American League.
The bat wasn’t the only thing that stood out. Paredes posted a 10.8% walk rate and struck out in only 13.4% of his plate appearances, the lowest strikeout mark of his career.
His work at third base was less convincing, though, with -7 Defensive Runs Saved and -4 Outs Above Average. Even so, he added some versatility by logging brief time at first and second base.
His biggest power surge came at Daikin Park, where he hit 14 home runs in 324 plate appearances. On the road, he added 11 homers in 335 plate appearances.
The option is worth $4 million more than his 2026 salary of $9.35 million, but it may still end up saving Houston money. Paredes was projected to earn about $15 million through arbitration if the Astros had passed on the option. The 2027 season will be his final year of salary arbitration eligibility.
Houston’s move also adds another layer to an already crowded infield picture. The Astros now have five established infielders vying for four spots: Paredes, Carlos Correa, Jeremy Peea, Jose Altuve and Christian Walker. Correa and Pena are both healthy again after injuries interrupted their 2026 seasons, while Yordan Alvarez is locked into the designated hitter role.
That could put Paredes or Pena in trade discussions as Houston looks to sort through the logjam. Both players are nearing free agency, with 2027 set to be their final season of team control.
Paredes is staying put for now, but his long-term position with the club remains unsettled. The Astros could also have a decision to make on Walker, who is still owed roughly $20 million.
There is one more wrinkle attached to Paredes’ deal: if he finishes in the top 10 in American League MVP voting, the club option can turn into a mutual option. The MVP results will be announced on November 12.
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