Astros Reportedly Eyeing Trade for Shohei Ohtani's Teammate

Houston could send Isaac Paredes to Boston in exchange for 4-time All-Star Masataka Yoshida

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Houston Astros are reportedly exploring a trade that would send infielder Isaac Paredes to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for outfielder Masataka Yoshida, a 4-time MLB All-Star and teammate of Shohei Ohtani on the Japanese national team. The move comes as Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña recovers from a finger injury, opening up a potential roster spot. Yoshida has been excelling in the World Baseball Classic, boosting his trade value.

Why it matters

The potential trade would help the Astros address their roster crunch and add a proven MLB hitter in Yoshida, while the Red Sox could benefit from Paredes' right-handed power bat at third base after missing out on signing Alex Bregman.

The details

The Astros have been looking to move Paredes for some time, as they have too many right-handed hitters and infielder/DH types on their roster. Yoshida's strong performance in the WBC has increased his trade value, making him an attractive target for the Astros. The Red Sox could use Paredes at third base, as they missed out on signing Alex Bregman in the offseason.

  • On March 9, 2026, the Astros announced that shortstop Jeremy Peña suffered a fractured finger and will be reevaluated in two weeks, potentially missing the start of the season.
  • Masataka Yoshida has been excelling for Team Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The players

Isaac Paredes

An infielder for the Houston Astros who the team has been looking to trade due to a roster crunch.

Masataka Yoshida

A 4-time MLB All-Star outfielder for the Boston Red Sox and teammate of Shohei Ohtani on the Japanese national team.

Jeremy Peña

The Astros' All-Star shortstop who suffered a fractured finger and may miss the start of the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“This has felt inevitable for months now, and maybe Yoshida catching fire in Tokyo is finally enough to get it over the finish line. Paredes might have a path to playing time now that Jeremy Peña has been sidelined by a fractured finger, but that doesn't seem like it'll hold him out too long, and when he returns, Houston will be once again stuck with too many right-handed hitters and too many infielders/DH types to play at one time.”

— Chris Landers, FanSided Writer (FanSided)

“Now that I have three years under my belt, to be honest with you guys, these three years weren't what I expected, so I'll leave it at that.”

— Masataka Yoshida (The Athletic)

What’s next

The Astros will reevaluate Jeremy Peña's finger injury in two weeks to determine his availability for Opening Day.

The takeaway

This potential trade would help the Astros address their roster crunch while adding a proven MLB hitter in Yoshida, while the Red Sox could benefit from Paredes' right-handed power bat at third base after missing out on signing Alex Bregman.