The Houston Astros may not be as stuck as it once seemed.
Jun 25, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes (15) looks on in the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
All winter, the expectation was that Isaac Paredes would eventually be traded. Pairing him with Christian Walker in the same infield always felt temporary — a roster puzzle waiting to be solved.
Yet spring training arrived, and Paredes was still in Houston.
Rumored suitors cooled. The Red Sox pivoted. Other fits evaporated. The Astros appeared headed toward Opening Day with an unresolved infield logjam.
Now, a familiar name is re-entering the picture: the Pittsburgh Pirates.
According to MLB insider Robert Murray, Pittsburgh remains intrigued by Paredes and could view him as a meaningful upgrade as they attempt to accelerate their competitive timeline. The Pirates are widely viewed as a potential surprise team in 2026, fueled by elite prospect Konnor Griffin, who is pushing for an Opening Day roster spot.
Even if Griffin begins the year in the minors, he’s expected to make an impact at some point this season.
But Pittsburgh may not want to wait.
Adding a proven All-Star third baseman like Paredes would stabilize the infield and provide middle-of-the-order production while Griffin develops. Murray notes that catcher Joey Bart could be part of a potential package heading to Houston.
That’s where the conversation becomes interesting.
The Astros do need a backup catcher, and Bart would fill that immediate hole. But Houston has reportedly maintained a high asking price for Paredes — a sign that general manager Dana Brown isn’t simply trying to clear positional congestion.
The return has to fit the organization’s direction.
Throughout the offseason, the Astros have prioritized acquiring a left-handed hitting outfielder in trade discussions. Whether Pittsburgh can offer that remains unclear. More realistically, Houston would target controllable pitching to fortify its depth beyond 2026.
The Pirates’ newfound competitiveness could create urgency.
If Pittsburgh truly believes it can contend in the NL Central, adding Paredes now rather than waiting for Griffin’s full emergence might make sense. And motivation matters in late-spring trade talks.
For Houston, leverage has been limited. Teams knew the Astros wanted to resolve the Walker-Paredes overlap. But if a motivated buyer emerges, the equation changes.
This doesn’t guarantee a deal.
But it does reopen a door that looked nearly shut.
With Opening Day approaching, the Astros may finally have a suitor willing to meet their price — or at least start the conversation in earnest.
And in a market that had grown quiet, that alone is significant.
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