The trade market is heating up, and one name drawing plenty of attention is Isaac Paredes. According to reports, the Astros are in active talks with at least five teams about moving the two-time All-Star infielder - and two of those clubs are the Pirates and Red Sox.
For Boston, this isn’t a new pursuit. Paredes has been on the Red Sox radar throughout the offseason as they continue their search for infield stability.
The list of players they've reportedly considered reads like an All-Star ballot - Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette, Ketel Marte, Eugenio Suarez, Nico Hoerner, Brendan Donovan, and more. It’s clear the Sox are serious about shoring up the infield, and Paredes would be a high-upside addition with real impact potential on both sides of the ball.
At one point, Boston and Houston even explored a three-team trade with the Cardinals that would’ve sent Paredes to the Sox, Donovan to the Astros, and a package of prospects to St. Louis.
But instead, the Cardinals pivoted, swinging a different three-team deal with the Mariners and Rays that landed Donovan in Seattle. That trade netted the Cardinals a recent first-round arm in Jurrangelo Cijntje, two more prospects in Tai Peete and Colton Ledbetter, and a pair of 2026 Competitive Balance Round B picks - the only type of draft picks that can be traded.
The Sox and Astros didn’t have those picks to offer, and that may have tilted the scales.
Had the original three-team deal gone through, it would’ve addressed major needs for both American League clubs. For Boston, Paredes would’ve slotted in as the everyday third baseman, bringing right-handed pop and allowing top prospect Marcelo Mayer to shift into the second base mix - a position that remains unsettled.
For Houston, Donovan’s versatility would’ve been a perfect fit. He likely would’ve become the everyday left fielder, rounding out an infield of Carlos Correa, Jeremy Peña, Jose Altuve, and Christian Walker.
With Yordan Alvarez locked in at DH and Altuve no longer a viable outfield option, Donovan’s ability to move around the diamond would’ve been a luxury.
But with that deal off the table, Houston’s infield surplus remains a storyline - and Paredes is still a trade candidate. GM Dana Brown has said publicly that the Astros are comfortable with their current infield depth, but that may be more posturing than reality.
Both Paredes and Walker are being discussed in trade talks, though Paredes is reportedly more likely to be dealt. Walker’s contract - three years, $60 million with a six-team no-trade clause - makes him harder to move, especially after a down year at the plate (.238/.297/.421, 99 wRC+).
He’s also heading into his age-35 season, which doesn’t help his trade value.
Paredes, on the other hand, is younger, cheaper, and coming off a strong (albeit injury-shortened) season. He missed nearly two months with a hamstring issue but still posted a .254/.352/.458 line across 438 plate appearances. He’s a proven bat with pop and plate discipline - and that’s exactly why teams are calling.
For the Astros, trading Paredes would be a tough pill to swallow. He’s one of their better players and still relatively affordable.
But with a crowded infield and a need for left-handed outfield help, he might be their best trade chip. And that’s where the Red Sox come back into play.
Boston has a surplus of lefty-hitting outfielders, and that could be the key to unlocking a deal. Jarren Duran is a name that’s been floated, but Houston reportedly prefers Wilyer Abreu - and it’s not hard to see why.
Abreu is still pre-arbitration and under team control longer, while Duran is already earning $7.7 million in 2026 and will only get more expensive in arbitration. From a financial and roster-building standpoint, Abreu is the more attractive piece.
Whether the Red Sox and Astros can find common ground remains to be seen. A direct swap could work, but a third team might need to get involved to bridge the gap. And of course, Houston could always pivot and move Paredes elsewhere - interest in him is widespread.
One of the more intriguing suitors is Pittsburgh. The Pirates have already been active this offseason, most notably in a December three-team deal with the Astros and Rays that sent Mike Burrows to Houston and brought Brandon Lowe and Jake Mangum to the Steel City.
They also added Ryan O’Hearn and acquired Jhostynxon Garcia in a separate trade with Boston. Clearly, the Pirates are prioritizing offense - and Paredes would be a major upgrade.
Third base is a clear area of need in Pittsburgh. Jared Triolo is currently penciled in as the starter, and while he brings strong defense, his bat has lagged behind.
Over his last 822 plate appearances spanning 2024-25, Triolo has slashed just .221/.303/.334. That’s not going to cut it for a team trying to take the next step.
Paredes would not only fill that hole but also bring a much-needed right-handed bat to a lineup that’s been searching for balance. The challenge for the Pirates is matching up with Houston’s needs.
Pittsburgh has some lefty or switch-hitting outfielders, but none are obvious fits. Oneil Cruz likely isn’t going anywhere, Bryan Reynolds is probably too expensive for Houston’s taste, and neither Mangum nor Jack Suwinski offer the kind of offensive upgrade the Astros are looking for.
Still, the Pirates have shown a willingness to get creative, and if they believe Paredes is a fit, they might find a way to get it done.
Beyond Boston and Pittsburgh, other teams could enter the mix - especially if a third party is needed to facilitate a deal. While many contenders are already set at the corners, clubs like the Brewers, Tigers, Marlins, Diamondbacks, and Athletics stand out as teams that could use help at either first or third base.
Bottom line: Isaac Paredes is a name to watch. He’s young, productive, and under control - the kind of player who doesn’t hit the trade block often. And with multiple teams circling, it feels like only a matter of time before someone makes a move.