Opinion: Stop Trying to Trade Isaac Paredes. The Astros Need Him.
There, I said it.
I don’t want the Houston Astros to trade Isaac Paredes.
And every time I hear another expert, another national analyst, or even another Astros fan casually toss his name into trade proposals like he’s some expendable spare part, it makes less and less sense to me.
If this franchise is serious about extending its Golden Era and not just surviving it, then Paredes should be part of the foundation, not trade bait.
Isaac Paredes Is Not the Problem
Let’s start with the obvious.
Paredes was one of this team’s best offensive players a year ago. That’s not narrative, that’s production.
Yes, he missed time down the stretch with a hamstring injury. And yes, recency bias is real. But when you zoom out and actually look at what he did in just 102 games, the numbers tell a very different story.
He hit .254 with 20 home runs, 53 RBIs, and an .810 OPS.
Now compare that to the farewell tour numbers from Alex Bregman in his final season in Houston:
.260 average.
18 home runs.
62 RBIs.
.821 OPS.
145 games played.
Paredes produced nearly identical power numbers in 43 fewer games.
Who’s to say that over a full 145-game season he doesn’t surpass that line?
A year ago, fans were outraged over losing Bregman. How could you replace a cornerstone third baseman who had been part of the entire championship core?
Well, the Astros replaced him. And they did it without missing much offensively.
But now we’re acting like that replacement is disposable?
The Strike Zone Matters
One thing that gets overlooked in the trade chatter: Paredes has one of the best eyes for the strike zone on this roster.
On a team that has occasionally chased too much and gone cold in October because of it, that matters.
Plate discipline translates. It travels. It holds up under pressure.
That’s not something you just “throw into a Pirates deal” because you’re chasing roster balance.
And speaking of those trade proposals involving Pittsburgh — unless the Astros are getting a return that clearly makes them better both now and in the future, why are we even entertaining the idea?
You don’t move one of your best assets just because you can.
Team Control and Long-Term Value
There’s another key factor: control.
Paredes isn’t a one-year rental. He’s under team control for the next two seasons. In an era where payroll flexibility matters and extensions for stars aren’t automatic, that’s a competitive advantage.
You build around cost-controlled production. You don’t shop it out of convenience or an assumed necessity.
Fix the Logjam Without Breaking the Offense
Yes, the Astros have an infield surplus. Yes, roster construction is tricky.
Yordan Alvarez wants to play more outfield. And the numbers do suggest he’s more engaged offensively when he’s not locked into the DH role. That’s fair.
But instead of bending over backward trying to reposition everyone else, here’s a thought:
Play Paredes at second base.
Let Jose Altuve transition into more of a designated hitter role.
Load the lineup. Prioritize offense. Adjust defensively as needed.
If the Astros are still chasing another left-handed outfield bat and a left-handed starter and they probably should be, there are ways to address those needs without subtracting one of your most consistent right-handed power bats.
This offense has carried this organization for nearly a decade. Weakening it to patch another area or two feels like robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Don’t Trade Good Just to Chase “Better”
General manager Dana Brown has work to do. No one disputes that. The roster isn’t perfect. It needs pitching depth and bats in the outfield. It could use balance.
But urgency should not create recklessness.
The only scenario where trading Paredes makes sense is if the offer coming back is overwhelming, the kind that clearly improves the team today and fortifies it tomorrow.
Short of that? Hold him.
Sometimes the smartest move isn’t the splashy one. It’s recognizing the value already in your clubhouse.
Spring training is here. Opening Day is coming. There’s still time to shape this roster.
But if the Astros are serious about contending, not just competing, they should stop dangling Isaac Paredes and start building with him.
Maybe I’m in the minority.
But that’s my column. What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below.
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