Astros News: Isaac Paredes option, free agency begins, Gold Glove results

Get ready for a wild and crazy month, Astros fans. The Houston Astros may've just just hired their new manager, but he'll need to settle in quickly, because the Major League Baseball offseason is about to officially begin.

When the clock strikes 4 p.m. CT, free agency officially opens. The Astros will lose the likes of Bryan Abreu, Steven Okert, and Daulton Varsho to the open market, but at least one player will stick around regardless of the front office's impending decision.

Astros must decide on Isaac Paredes before Monday's deadline

Tatsuya Imai has already refrained from exercising the opt-out clause on his contract, and he'll be back with the Astros next season. But the team has yet to decide a course of action with Isaac Paredes.

The Astros maintain a $13.35 million club-option for the 2027 season. But Paredes will remain part of the organization whether Houston exercises that option or not. Why? Because he's still under team control through next season.

Essentially, the Astros must decide to hand Paredes a guaranteed check for $13.35 million, or try to save a few bucks by taking him to arbitration this winter. According MLB Trade Rumors, Paredes is expected to bank $15 million through the arbitration process, lending thought to the idea that picking up the club-option would be the most prudent move.

Astros first baseman Christian Walker nets fourth Gold Glove, Cam Smith falls short

The Rawling's Gold Glove awards were handed out over the weekend, and Astros first baseman Christian Walker took home the honors for the fourth time in his career. Walker won the award three times during his tenure with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but this is the first time he's won the award since arriving in Houston. Walker is the first Astros first baseman since Yuli Gurriel won in 2021.

Astros outfielder Cam Smith was unable to capture his first-ever Gold Glove award. Instead, Wilyer Abreu took home the honors for the Boston Red Sox. Abreu led all right fielders in defensive runs saved by a wide margin with 28 DRS. Smith only recorded 4 DRS. Another popular metric, outs above average, favored Smith, however. He posted 6 OAA while Abreu accounted for just 2 OAA.

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