1:37 p.m: There is also a 2027 club option on the deal worth $13.35MM, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. If Paredes finishes in the top ten in MVP voting, the club option converts to the same pick. Even if the club/partnership option is ultimately not taken up, Paredes will still be under club control through 2027 through the dispute. Most parties have a “file and case” approach to arbitration, meaning they will not negotiate deals for one year after the filing deadline. Most post-deadline agreements have an option taken to follow this policy.
12:13 p.m: Astros avoid hearing on outfielder dispute Isaac Paredesreports Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The two teams received a one-year deal worth $9.35MM, which came in between the team’s $8.75MM posting and the $9.95MM total posted by Paredes’ camp to the CAA. Houston and the hunter Yainer Diaz they had their arbitration talks yesterday, according to the Associated Press. The result is expected today.
Paredes, who turns 27 in a few weeks, arrived in Houston as part of last winter Kyle Tucker blockbuster and enjoy a solid year in the Astros infield. He missed nearly two months with a hamstring injury but still hit 20 homers while hitting .254/.352/.458 over 438 plate appearances when healthy.
While Paredes was on the shelf, Houston recovered Carlos Correa in a salary waiver agreement with the twins. The ‘Stros put Correa in the hot corner in honor of the outstanding shortstop Jeremy Pena. With Paredes sidelined in late September, the Astros didn’t have to deal with the glut of position players they had, but that won’t be the case in 2026.
Paredes seems to be a man without a position. Correa and Pena will also be on the left side of the infield. A left field test of Jose Altuve All that didn’t prove to be fruitful, and Altuve is slated to return to second base in 2026. Christian WalkerThe first year as an Astro was a disappointment, but he’s signed for two more years and owed another $40MM, so he’ll be back at the start. Jordan Alvarez will see some time in left field but will still take most of the Astros’ DH at-bats. Hope Brice Matthewsa natural midfield player, will likely be pushed out by the internal logjam.
All of that has led to a lot of speculation about a possible trade, though general manager Dana Brown has repeatedly said he doesn’t feel obligated to trade the team. Had there been interest in the remainder of Walker’s contract, perhaps that would have changed things, but understandably other clubs weren’t willing to take that $40MM after a down season for the 35-year-old.
While there isn’t a quick spot for Paredes’ regular bats, that doesn’t matter. It only takes one injury for him to have an everyday spot in the lineup, after all, and even if the rest of the team stays healthy, he can play well every time he spells Correa at third, Walker at first, Altuve at second and Alvarez at DH. Correa and Alvarez, in particular, have long injury histories and are prone to losing chunks of time.
This was the third of four trips to arbitration for Paredes, a Super Two player. He is through the 2027 season and will be owed additional compensation next winter. The 27-year-old Diaz is eligible for the first time this winter. He and his representatives at PRIME posted a figure of $4.5MM, while the team accounted for $3MM.
