Among the numerous rumors that have been reported in the Winter Meetings, the Houston Astros are showing interest in trading third baseman Isaac Paredes.
Paredes was traded to the Astros during the 2024-25 offseason in the Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs deal.
Just a year later, Houston appears to be interested in flipping the third baseman for a position that's in desperate need, according to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal.
More: Astros labeled as possible landing spot for free agent SP Zac Gallen
Houston has a problem with its pitching staff
Reports have shown that the Astros need to improve their starting pitching.
Framber Valdez appears to be leaving the team in free agency. Hayden Wesneski, Ronel Blanco, and Brandon Walter are all recovering from Tommy John surgeries that will keep them out for an extended period of time.
Houston faced this pitching problem last year, which resulted in a 31-35 record after the All-Star break. The Seattle Mariners jumped them in the AL West and knocked the Astros out of the postseason for the first time since 2016.
Rosenthal reported that the Boston Red Sox is a team that Isaac Paredes could be traded to, and Houston's interest is in left-handed pitchers Payton Tolle and Connelly Early.
"He presumably would play first base for the Sox if Bregman returned at third, and the price for him likely would be steep," Rosenthal said.
It's worth noting that the Astros made multiple trades to acquire infielders at the MLB trade deadline in July, so replacing Paredes would be a simple task for Houston.
If he's dealt, the third baseman would be joining his fourth team in three seasons.
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