Significant Turn of Events in Astros' Isaac Paredes Trade Talks

He's been the subject of trade rumors all offseason. Isaac Paredes was coming into 2026 without a starting job for the Houston Astros. It's a waste of a 20-homer bat to have him sitting on the bench, so they've tried to find a trade fit, but to no avail.

Those trade talks might have to be put on hold now, however, as Houston's starting shortstop Jeremy Pena has a broken finger.

Jeremy Peña has a fracture in the tip of his right ring finger, per the Astros. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) March 5, 2026

He'll be reevaluated in two weeks. The season starts in three.

If Pena isn't ready to go, the Stros have a ready-made shortstop in-house, in third baseman Carlos Correa: their shortstop for seven seasons before he left in free agency for the Minnesota Twins. Paredes would then slot back in at third base.

Houston re-acquired Correa last year, and moved him to third base, where he took over for an injured Paredes, who was an All-Star in the season's first half and sitting on 20 homers.

By the time Paredes returned in September, he was relegated to DH only, but that spot isn't really open either, as it belongs to Yordan Alvarez.

Sometimes, the best trades are the ones you don't make.