The Houston Astros made a quiet, but telling move this week-inking Isaac Paredes to a $9.35 million deal for the 2026 season and, more interestingly, tacking on a club option for 2027. On the surface, it looks like a standard arbitration-avoidance agreement. But dig a little deeper, and it starts to feel like Houston just gave us a glimpse into their long-term infield plans.
Now, arbitration settlements usually don’t move the needle. They’re part of the offseason routine-a handshake to avoid the courtroom drama.
But this one stands out. Not because of the dollar figure, but because of the structure.
The Astros didn’t need to get creative here. Paredes was already under team control through 2027.
So why add a club option?
That’s where things get interesting.
Let’s start with the option itself. If Paredes finishes top-10 in MVP voting this season, the club option becomes a mutual one.
But even without that, the Astros have essentially built in some cost control for 2027. If they decline the option, they still retain Paredes’ rights and can take him to arbitration again.
It’s a move that gives Houston financial flexibility-something every contender values, especially when navigating a roster full of escalating salaries.
This kind of maneuver isn’t unprecedented. The Brewers pulled a similar trick this offseason with William Contreras, declining his club option for 2026 because arbitration projected to be cheaper.
But the Astros didn’t have to go that route with Paredes. They chose to.
And that choice might say more about their internal calculus than they intended to reveal.
At the heart of it is the looming decision between Paredes and Christian Walker.
For a while now, the sense around the league has been that Houston is leaning toward Paredes as their long-term answer at the corner infield spot. And this latest deal only reinforces that idea.
Paredes is 26, entering his prime, and his swing fits beautifully at Daikin Park. He’s got pop, plate discipline, and positional versatility.
He’s not just a short-term solution-he’s a potential cornerstone.
Walker, meanwhile, is in a different place in his career. He’s older, more expensive, and coming off a season that didn’t quite live up to expectations.
He still brings value-especially with the glove and his power potential-but the contract and age curve are working against him. If the Astros are looking to trim payroll or reallocate resources, moving Walker makes sense.
The problem? That’s easier said than done.
Until Houston finds a trade partner for Walker, the Paredes situation remains fluid. There’s always the chance that Paredes could be the one on the move if the right offer comes along.
But this deal-especially the inclusion of the club option-feels like a signal. The Astros are planning around Paredes, not planning to move him.
So while the headlines may not scream blockbuster, this is one of those subtle offseason moves that could have ripple effects down the line. The Astros are playing the long game here-and Isaac Paredes looks like a big part of it.