Astros likely to trade either $60M Gold Glove slugger or All-Star infielder at deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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With how the season is trending, the Houston Astros are very likely to wind up as trade deadline sellers this August.
It’s a shame considering how good this roster had a chance at being. But, with the injuries and the 26-32 record, the team is very much in play to be sellers this year.
And if they are sellers, MLB insider Robert Murray of Fansided.com believes that they will likely trade one of two sluggers, either sending away their $60 million Gold Glove award winner or their two-time All-Star infielder.
Astros likely to trade one of two infield trade targets
“Christian Walker/Isaac Paredes. I’m combining the two here because if the Astros sell, at least one of them feels likely to go. And the case for both to be on the block is strong,” Murray writes.
Isaac Paredes is a two-time All-Star who’s been moved around a lot in his career already. He was traded by the Tampa Bay Rays to the Chicago Cubs, and then dealt by the Cubs to the Astros in the Kyle Tucker trade.
He’s been a solid player for the Astros and is under club control through the 2027 season. This season, he is hitting .241 with a .713 OPS and 102 OPS+.
He isn’t hitting as well as he did last season, with his .809 OPS and 124 OPS+, but he’s still a plus hitter and would be a nice third baseman option for a lot of teams.
MORE: Ex-MLB GM projects White Sox to sell at trade deadline despite 2026 success
Walker is a bit different, as he’s also under control through 2027, but is on a three-year, $60 million deal that will have a team spending a lot to keep him on the roster for the rest of 2026 and into 2027.
But, Walker, the three-time Gold Glove award-winner, has a .255 batting average this season with 15 homers and an .850 OPS and 137 OPS+.
He’s been a great hitter this season, and with high-quality defense as well, there is sure to be interest in Walker, even with his $60 million contract.
Murray believes it’s likely one of these two is traded this season, assuming the Astros are sellers. It also wouldn’t be a surprise if the Astros traded both, especially if things get a lot worse from here on out.
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