The Astros, trying to lengthen their lineup and get extra manufacturing out of first base, are among the many groups with curiosity in Rays infielder Isaac Paredes, experiences Chandler Rome of The Athletic. As Rome explains, the underside third of Houston’s lineup has produced a disastrous .254 OBP since Kyle Tucker went on the injured listing 40 video games in the past, shortening the lineup and leaving a whole lot of strain on the highest of the batting order.
Paredes is a pure match for the Astros, although between his reasonably priced $3.4MM wage, his three extra years of membership management, his defensive versatility and this 12 months’s .250/.352/.445 slash, he’d match on the vast majority of contenders across the league. Paredes has been Tampa Bay’s main third baseman this season, however he has appreciable expertise at each second base and first base as properly, and he’s even performed 50 innings of shortstop within the majors. He’s in all probability not minimize out for long-term shortstop work, however Statcast feels he’s been common or higher at every of the three different infield spots.
Among the many 148 certified hitters in MLB this season, just one has a better pull charge than Paredes: Houston’s personal Jose Altuve. That pull-happy method from a righty energy bat like Paredes makes the Astros’ Minute Maid Park — and the brief left discipline porch within the Crawford Containers — a very fascinating match. Paredes popped 31 homers final season and has 16 to this point in 2024.
The Astros have gotten just about nothing out of first base this season. Jose Abreu was launched within the second season of an ill-fated three-year contract. Jon Singleton has been the first choice since. He’s hitting .230/.321/.345 on the season. That’s seven % worse than league-average, by measure of wRC+, at a place the place above-average offense is often anticipated. Singleton additionally grades as a poor first base defender and poor baserunner.
Swapping Singleton out for Paredes after which pairing him with Tucker’s eventual return may have a transformative affect on the Houston lineup. The advantages of including Paredes can be additional reaching within the long-term, too. Alex Bregman is slated to develop into a free agent this offseason, and whereas the Astros determine to be a part of his offseason market, he’s hardly a assure to re-sign. Preserving Bregman may require an extended and extra profitable contract than the ’Stros have given out to anybody underneath proprietor Jim Crane; Yordan Alvarez’s six-year, $115MM deal is the longest contract issued underneath Crane, whereas Altuve’s 2018 extension that assured him $151MM in new cash is the biggest assure. If Bregman doesn’t keep in Houston, Paredes may shift throughout the diamond to 3rd base in 2025.
For all the explanations simply listed, nonetheless, Paredes shall be extraordinarily costly to amass — at the least by way of prospects/younger expertise. Any of the Yankees, Dodgers, Mariners and Pink Sox (amongst others) stand as apparent matches and suitors for him. The market shall be aggressive. And, since Paredes is controllable via the 2027 season and will earn underneath $10MM subsequent season in arbitration, the Rays possible don’t really feel a want to maneuver him. They’ll pay attention, as they do on all of their gamers, but it surely’ll take a genuinely compelling supply to pry three-plus years of one of many recreation’s most underrated infielders from their grasp.
That stated, the Rays have adequate infield depth to face up to the lack of Paredes. Third baseman Junior Caminero ranks as one of many sport’s prime 5 prospects and is prepared for a glance within the majors. Caminero’s presence alone doesn’t make Paredes expendable — he may simply transfer to a different infield place or simply bounce between a number of slots frequently — however having a ready-made alternative does make it a bit simpler to maneuver him than if the cabinet behind him have been naked. Different, dearer veterans on the Rays (e.g. Zach Eflin, Randy Arozarena) appear likelier to maneuver between now and subsequent Tuesday’s deadline, however Paredes ought to draw heavy curiosity in his personal proper and sure may very well be had with a considerable sufficient supply.
