The Houston Astros didn’t have much mystery here.
With Isaac Paredes coming off a big year at the plate and already under team control, the club moved to keep him in the fold for 2027 by exercising his $13.55 million club option, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. If Paredes finishes in the top 10 of American League MVP voting, that option will shift into a mutual option, which would require both sides to agree.
Paredes gave Houston plenty of reasons to make the call. The 27-year-old hit .262 with an .807 OPS, launched 25 home runs and drove in 94 runs across 155 games. He also drew 71 walks, making him one of the most productive bats in the Astros lineup this past season.
His role became clearer after Carlos Correa suffered a season-ending injury. Houston had entered the 2026 season with a crowded infield, but Correa’s absence opened the door for Paredes to settle in at third base, the spot he played most often in 2025. He also logged 15 games at first base and three at second, giving the Astros some flexibility even as his defensive numbers at third were less flattering, with defensive runs saved at -7 and outs above average at -4, per MLB Trade Rumors.
At the plate, though, Paredes delivered. He posted a .360 on-base percentage, the best of his career, while walking at a 10.8 percent clip and striking out in a career-low 13.4 percent of his plate appearances, per FanGraphs.
The financial side made the decision even easier. MLB Trade Rumors projected Paredes for $15 million in arbitration, so Houston likely saved about $1.5 million by going straight to the option. Either way, he was under team control through 2027.
What happens next is less settled. Correa is expected back healthy at the start of next season, which brings the infield picture back into focus. New general manager Randy Flores could explore trading Paredes and his affordable contract, though Correa’s injury history leaves Houston with reasons to keep depth close at hand.
If Paredes puts together another strong season in 2027, he should be in line for a sizable free agency payday after that.
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Astros Manager Search Just Opened A Wild Albert Pujols Possibility
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For Houston, the appeal is obvious enough to at least make the idea worth watching: Pujols brings instant name recognition, deep baseball credibility and a profile that would resonate far beyond the clubhouse. And if the Astros were to go in that direction, the calendar would add another layer of drama, with a scheduled 2027 series against St. Louis waiting on the horizon. For now, its just a possibility, but its the kind that can change the tone of a search in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]