The Houston Astros are in the market for a few different players this winter, but their biggest need resides in the starting rotation.
With Framber Valdez a free agent and likely to sign elsewhere, along with the other starters either hurt or not being great options, the rotation is a big issue to address this offseason.
Fortunately for the Astros, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, they're drawing trade interest on a 26-year-old slugger from the Boston Red Sox who could land them the starting pitcher they need. Isaac Paredes could be on the move once again.
Astros drawing trade interest from Red Sox on All-Star slugger
"Paredes, who is under club control for two more seasons with a projected $9.3 million salary in 2026," Rosnethal writes, "is yet another hitter in whom the Red Sox have expressed interest, according to sources briefed on their discussions."
The Astros, in return for Paredes, will be looking to acquire one of the Red Sox's young starting pitchers. Connelly Early or Peyton Tolle are the two options that Rosenthal links to Houston, and are worth keeping a close eye on.
Trading Paredes, who was acquired as part of the Kyle Tucker trade with the Chicago Cubs, could help the Astros in multiple ways.
Not only would they land a young, controllable starting pitcher like Tolle or Early, but they would clear up some of their infield logjam.
More: Astros could fix defensive issues with trade of struggling 20-homer catcher
Carlos Correa could remain at third, Jeremy Pena at shortstop, Jose Altuve or a trade pickup at second base, and Christian Walker at first would be the infield Houston would bring into the 2026 season.
Paredes had a 2.3 bWAR season in 102 games for Houston last season, and while he missed most of the second half of the year, he made the All-Star team as a replacement option and was more than deserving of the honor.
The 26-year-old corner infielder is under control for two more seasons on a reasonable deal and is someone the Red Sox are showing interest in.
While no deal is close, a Paredes to Boston trade is worth keeping an eye on as the MLB Winter Meetings and offseason continue to progress.
More Astros News:
- Kyle Tucker predicted to break baseball, sign with Dodgers to chase World Series ring
- Astros' Jake Meyers receives trade rumor update from MLB insiders
- Astros sign 2.87 ERA KBO starter to bolster injured rotation
- Astros predicted to buy low on $13.5 million All-Star, Cy Young candidate to replace Framber Valdez
- Astros linked to Phillies fan-favorite ace as Framber Valdez replacement