The Houston Astros have been busy behind the scenes this offseason, and their latest maneuvering shows just how determined they are to address their infield logjam - and maybe shore up the outfield while they’re at it.
According to multiple league sources, the Astros were deep into talks on a three-team trade that would’ve sent infielder Isaac Paredes to the Boston Red Sox and brought utilityman Brendan Donovan to Houston. The deal didn’t come together, and Donovan instead landed with the Seattle Mariners - a move that could have ripple effects across the American League West.
The Red Sox, for their part, came up empty-handed on both fronts. Not only did they miss out on Paredes in the three-team scenario, but a separate attempt to land Donovan also fell through, per people familiar with the negotiations.
Still, Boston remains very much in the market for an infielder, and Houston hasn’t backed off its efforts to move Paredes or first baseman Christian Walker ahead of Wednesday’s first day of spring training workouts. Paredes is seen as the more likely trade candidate, largely because Walker’s contract - which includes a limited no-trade clause - complicates any potential deal.
Boston is one of at least five teams still in discussions with Houston about Paredes, according to league sources. Another club in the mix: the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pittsburgh is looking for a third-base upgrade and previously tried - unsuccessfully - to sign free agent Eugenio Suárez before he returned to the Cincinnati Reds.
From a roster-construction standpoint, Boston and Houston appear to be natural trade partners. The Red Sox have a surplus of left-handed hitting outfielders, and that happens to be one of the Astros’ biggest areas of need. Houston’s outfield picture is murky at best - they don’t have a clear-cut left fielder, and projected right fielder Cam Smith isn’t guaranteed a roster spot heading into camp.
Team sources say the Astros are particularly interested in Wilyer Abreu, a cost-controlled right fielder who came up through their own system before being dealt to Boston. Houston sees Abreu as a better long-term fit than Jarren Duran, who is arbitration-eligible and set to make $7.7 million this season.
So far, though, the Red Sox haven’t shown much willingness to move Abreu. Either way, the fit is there - both Abreu and Duran would represent a significant upgrade for a Houston outfield that’s currently in flux.
As for the trade that did go down, Donovan’s move to Seattle was part of a larger three-team deal that sent two of the Mariners’ former first-round picks - switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje and outfielder Tai Peete - to St. Louis.
The Cardinals also picked up a pair of draft picks, one from Tampa Bay and another from Seattle. Tampa, meanwhile, acquired utilityman Ben Williamson from the Mariners as part of the same transaction.
The Red Sox’s need for a right-handed hitting infielder became more urgent after Alex Bregman signed with the Chicago Cubs. Paredes, with his power and versatility, made a lot of sense for Boston’s infield mix. Donovan, a lefty bat who can play all over the diamond, was also on their radar - but Paredes seemed like the better fit, especially given the team’s current roster makeup.
Houston’s interest in Donovan wasn’t new. The Astros had been eyeing him since at least last August’s trade deadline.
His ability to play multiple positions - including 139 career starts in left field - would’ve given Houston the kind of lineup flexibility they’ve been lacking. He also could’ve served as a capable backup for Jose Altuve at second base, while giving the Astros a left-handed bat to help balance a righty-heavy lineup.
In the end, the Astros watched a potential solution head to a division rival, while the Red Sox are still searching for answers. But with spring training just days away, don’t expect the trade chatter to die down anytime soon. Houston still has pieces to move - and Boston still has holes to fill.