This offseason, the Houston Astros must find a new general manager and manager after parting ways with Dana Brown and Joe Espada.
The AL West club has a logjam at third base.
The Athletic's Chandler Rome has one solution for the Astros, who won the division with an 81-81 record.
"Carlos Correa’s return will reignite questions of how Houston will navigate its infield logjam.
"Trading Jeremy Peña could help solve it, but if the Astros want to keep their homegrown shortstop, parting with [Isaac] Paredes would allow Correa to reprise his role as Houston’s third baseman and net a decent return before Paredes’ platform year," Rome wrote.
Paredes' contract includes a $13.35 million club option for the 2027 season. Rome adds that the 27-year-old's deal is a "no-brainer" to pick up.
The two-time All-Star hit 25 home runs and drove in 94 runs in 155 games. Paredes had a 4.0 bWAR and 127 OPS+.
Pena could stick at shortstop, and Correa could return to third base when he returns from injury.
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Correa turned 32 last month and has played just 397 of the possible 648 games since the start of the 2023 season.
Houston may have health concerns with Correa, who is under contract through the 2028 season.
Paredes may have significant trade value, but trading him could leave the Astros thin at third base.
More MLB news:
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- Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski made MLB playoff history three times with 104+ mph pitches
- How Mets could have advantage over Dodgers in free-agent pursuit of Tarik Skubal
- Most strikeouts in an MLB Postseason Game: White Sox made dubious history in loss to Guardians
- Red Sox's top offseason need highlights a big power-hitting problem
