The Astros’ new front office leader is already staring at one of the biggest calls of the offseason, and it centers on a player who has become a fixture in Houston’s lineup and defense.
After the club moved on from former general manager Dana Brown, Houston named Randy Flores as his replacement on Saturday. Now Flores has to sort through a roster that has more infielders than spots, and that creates a real question about how the team wants to build for 2027 and beyond. A manager hire to replace Joe Espada could shape some of those decisions, but the infield logjam is already there.
That’s why Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report put Jeremy Pẽna on the list of each MLB team’s top trade assets this offseason and made the case for Houston to at least listen. Pẽna may be the least likely Astro to move, but Rymer’s logic is hard to ignore given the contract situation.
“Speaking of Boras clients running short on club control, Peña is due for free agency after 2027. Houston’s efforts to extend him have gone and still figure to go nowhere, so cashing in on the All-Star shortstop is looking like the smart play,'' wrote Rymer.
Pẽna’s agent is Scott Boras, and that matters. Boras clients rarely rush into extensions before reaching free agency, and while that doesn’t guarantee a player is leaving, it usually keeps the market wide open. For Houston, that means Pẽna could be headed toward a major payday when his next deal arrives.
On the field, there’s no question what he brings. Pẽna is coming off a 2026 season in which he hit a career-high 22 home runs and posted a .277/.325/.477 slash line with 56 RBIs. Even with some numbers slipping a bit outside the power, he remains an elite defender and a valuable bat near the top of the order.
Flores does have other possible trade pieces in the infield, including Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes. But he also doesn’t have to force anything.
Houston could keep the core together and make another run next season. Still, with Pẽna entering the final season of his deal, the trade talk is likely to keep building until the Astros decide whether to hold on or cash in.
In Other News...
Yordan Alvarez Just Entered Rare Astros Company
Yordan Alvarezs season has already put him in some of the rarest air an Astros hitter can reach. After leading the American League in multiple offensive categories and taking home both the AL and major league batting titles, he has added another layer to a year that has been defined by production at the plate and consistency in the middle of Houstons lineup.
The next milestone now sits on the calendar, with the MVP awards set to be announced Nov. 12 on MLB Network. For Alvarez, the recognition reflects more than just a hot stretch or a strong finish. It puts him in position to join a short list of Astros stars who have drawn this kind of individual attention, with the final verdict still to come. [Read more 🡒]
Astros Manager Search Is Moving Fast Under Randy Flores
The Astros managerial search is already moving at a brisk pace under newly hired general manager Randy Flores, who has full authority over baseball operations and is looking to settle on a manager soon. Among the names in the mix are Rangers bench coach Luis Urueta and Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus, two familiar figures with different paths but the kind of experience teams often sort through when trying to set a new tone in the dugout.
There has also been chatter around other possible candidates, including Albert Pujols, which only adds to the sense that this search could widen before it narrows. For now, though, the clearest sign of where things stand is that Flores is working quickly and keeping the process moving, with the Astros trying to line up the right voice for the next chapter without letting the speculation run ahead of the actual interviews. [Read more 🡒]
Astros Just Sent A Clear Message About Isaac Paredes
Isaac Paredes gave the Astros plenty to like in his first season of real significance in Houston, and the front office responded by keeping the third baseman in place. After a productive 2026 campaign in which he hit .262 with 25 home runs and 94 RBIs, the club chose to pick up his option rather than let the situation linger into the winter, a sign that his bat mattered more than any lingering questions about how he fit defensively.
For Houston, the move also clarifies the infield picture for the near future. Paredes remains under team control through 2027, giving the Astros stability at a premium position while they continue to weigh the full package he brings. There is still a wrinkle attached to the deal, though, and it keeps one more layer of intrigue around a player who is already firmly part of the organizations plans. [Read more 🡒]