When it comes to Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, there is a lot of interest in him. However, general manager Dana Brown has held onto his utility infielder who can also play second.
There were lots of teams that were interested in him this offseason was long. The Boston Red Sox were interested, and they have what the Astros were looking for: a left-handed hitting outfielder in Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu. The Red Sox ended up going to the Milwaukee Brewers to acquire Caleb Durbin.
Another team that had reportedly had interest was the Pittsburgh Pirates. According to Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome of The Athletic, right before spring training began.
“Boston remains one of at least five teams engaged with the Astros about Paredes, according to multiple league sources. Another is the Pittsburgh Pirates, who need an upgrade at third base and tried unsuccessfully to sign free agent Eugenio Suárez before his agreement with the Cincinnati Reds,” they wrote.
Suárez was someone who would have filled the gap at third base. According to Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report, Paredes and the Pirates would be a good match.
Pittsburgh Pirates Urged to Trade for Isaac Paredes
Suárez was someone who would have fit well at PNC Park with his power bat. However, he ended up signing with Pittsburgh’s National League Central Division foe, the Cincinnati Reds. Now, with a position that has more questions than answers this spring, jumping to acquire Paredes makes sense.
“The Pirates and Astros don’t seem to line up well as trading partners, but let’s agree to never say never. And as much as PNC Park suppresses power, Paredes’ special brand of pull power is adaptable to any ballpark,” wrote Rymer.
No, Pittsburgh and Houston don’t seem like trade partners, but stranger things have happened. The Pirates don’t really have what the Astros would covet in a trade for an MLB-ready outfielder, but they can make it work if they really want him.
Isaac Paredes Power Fits Pittsburgh’s PNC Park
Pittsburgh is hoping not to let Paul Skenes’ best years slide by without making a playoff push. The Pirates and Astros did pull off a trade this winter as part of a blockbuster three-team deal. Pittsburgh sent Mike Burrows to Houston in exchange for second baseman Brandon Lowe, pitcher Mason montgomery and outfielder Jake Mangum from the Tampa Bay Rays.
As for Paredes, a two-time all-star, and his fit with Pittsburgh. Last season for Houston, he slashed .254/.352/.458 with 20 home runs and 53 RBIs in 102 games. He is three years removed from a 30-home run season for Tampa Bay, where he drove in 98. The 27-year-old is on a one-year, $9.35 million contract with Houston after avoiding arbitration. There is a $13.35 million club option for 2027.
It feels like there has been so much smoke around Paredes in the offseason and in spring training that he’ll eventually get moved. His numbers and power would be a good fit for PNC Park and the Pirates’ lineup. A team that is improved on paper for 2026, like the Pirates, could get better by trading for Paredes.
Pittsburgh Pirates Urged to Trade for Two-Time All-Star Infielder