Astros trade plans for Isaac Paredes may hinge on overlooked contract detail

Wait, what now?

Jordan Campbell

Sep 20, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Isaac Paredes (15) stands in the dugout before the game against the Seattle Mariners at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Unless it involves the Detroit Tigers and Tarik Skubal, arbitration hearing results are a rather procedural happenstance at the end of the offseason. It's why no one really batted an eye when The Athletic's Chandler Rome reported that the Houston Astros and Isaac Paredes were actually avoiding the hearing, settling on a $9.35 million salary for the 2026 season.

The curious development was when the Astros announced the deal. What Rome's report failed to mention was that Paredes' agreement with the Astros includes a club option for 2027.

The Astros and Isaac Paredes avoided an arbitration hearing and settled at $9.35 million, source tells @TheAthletic
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 3, 2026

Oftentimes, agreements to avoid arbitration aren't exactly telling when it comes to a player's future with a team. That may not be the case for Paredes and the Astros.

Did the Astros just tip their hand with the situation between Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker?

The option does convert to a mutual option if the All-Star third baseman has a top-10 MVP finish, but more importantly, it could be a step closer to having cost certainty. The club option doesn't buy out the final year of Paredes' arbitration. In other words, if the Astros decline the club option at the end of the season, they still hold his rights and will have the option of tendering him a contract for 2027.

This is a similar situation the Brewers found themselves in this offseason when they declined William Contreras' club option for 2026, because it would have been more expensive than what he was projected to receive in arbitration.

That is a level of creativity the Astros didn't exactly have to reach with Paredes, considering they already held his rights through the 2027 season. That said, ensuring this form of cost certainty may have tipped Houston's hand when it comes to the decision they have to make between Paredes and Christian Walker.

The impression was that the Astros preferred to keep Paredes over Walker, and his agreement with the team this week probably confirms that. When it comes to who is fit for the Astros beyond this season, it's easily Paredes. His swing is perfect for Daikin Park, and he is only 26 years old. On the other side, Walker is making a lot of money as an aging slugging first baseman coming off a somewhat down year.

That's all fine and dandy, but until the Astros find a taker for Walker and his contract, the rumors of a potential Paredes trade aren't going away.

Jordan Campbell

For nearly 15 years, Jordan has been a workhorse across the FanSided network - including being the inaugural site expert for Cubbies Crib, as well as a stop at Da Windy City as the site expert. In addition to returning to be a Co-Site Expert at Cubbies Crib, Jordan was previously the Site Expert at Bear Goggles On. In the years since, Jordan has joined FanSided's full-time team, serving as a staff writer for the MLB division. Jordan's work can be seen across the MLB division, including a consistent presence on our Cubs, Twins, Astros, and Tigers sites. Since 2010, Jordan has dedicated his craft to providing insightful commentary on all things Chicago sports, and he has enjoyed his venture into all things Major League Baseball.