Astros' Isaac Paredes Unfazed by Trade Rumors Ahead of Spring Training

The 26-year-old infielder is focused on his performance on the field despite an uncertain future with the team.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Houston Astros infielder Isaac Paredes is trying to block out the noise surrounding trade rumors as he reports to Spring Training. Paredes, a productive player when healthy, finds himself at the center of trade speculation due to the Astros' crowded infield and need to address other positions of need. However, Paredes is taking a pragmatic approach, stating that he can only control his on-field performance and will let the team's front office handle any potential trades.

Why it matters

The Astros are facing the challenge of maintaining a contending team year-after-year as their core ages, leading them to explore trade options to address roster needs. Paredes, a solid contributor, has emerged as a potential trade chip despite his on-field production, highlighting the difficult decisions the team must make to balance their current competitiveness with long-term sustainability.

The details

Paredes, 26, hit 20 home runs and drove in 53 runs in 438 plate appearances across 102 games last season, posting an impressive .810 OPS. However, the Astros' crowded infield picture, which includes veteran stars like Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman, has made Paredes a potential trade target as the team looks to address other areas of need, such as acquiring a left-handed bat.

  • Paredes reported to Astros' Spring Training camp in February 2026.

The players

Isaac Paredes

A 26-year-old infielder for the Houston Astros who has emerged as a productive player when healthy, but faces an uncertain future with the team due to their crowded infield and need to address other roster positions.

Jose Altuve

A veteran infielder and star player for the Houston Astros, part of the team's aging core that the organization is trying to supplement with new talent.

Alex Bregman

A veteran infielder and star player for the Houston Astros, part of the team's aging core that the organization is trying to supplement with new talent.

Framber Valdez

One of the Astros' best pitchers who the team lost in free agency, contributing to their need to address roster gaps through trades and other moves.

Mauricio Dubon

An exceptional infield defender who the Astros traded away to the Atlanta Braves in a salary dump, further highlighting the team's roster challenges.

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What they’re saying

“This is where I thought I was going to be the whole time, so let's just see what happens. I only control what I do on the field. That's the part I'm focused on. Whatever they're going to do, that's out of my control.”

— Isaac Paredes (MLB.com)

The takeaway

Paredes' pragmatic approach to the trade rumors surrounding him underscores the difficult decisions facing the Astros as they try to balance their current competitiveness with long-term roster sustainability. Despite his productive play, Paredes' future with the team remains uncertain as the organization explores ways to address other positions of need.