The Houston Astros came into the January 8 arbitration deadline with a clear objective: avoid the courtroom drama and get as many deals done as possible. And for the most part, they did just that. Houston reached agreements with nine of its 11 arbitration-eligible players, locking in key pieces for the 2026 season and giving the front office some welcome payroll clarity as they shape the roster for another postseason push.

Let’s start with the headliners.

Jeremy Peña, the All-Star shortstop and defensive anchor of the infield, landed a $9.475 million deal in his second year of arbitration eligibility – more than doubling his previous salary. Peña has established himself as one of the premier two-way shortstops in the game, and this deal reflects both his value and his trajectory.

Hunter Brown, fresh off a breakout season that saw him finish third in AL Cy Young voting, agreed to a $5.71 million contract. That’s a significant bump for the emerging ace, but one that feels well-earned. Brown has become a foundational piece of Houston’s rotation, and this deal keeps him locked in without the distractions of a hearing.

Bryan Abreu, a steady presence in the bullpen and one of the club’s most trusted late-inning arms, settled at around $5.85 million. With bullpen volatility always a concern, keeping a proven reliever like Abreu under contract is a win for Houston’s pitching depth.

The Astros also reached deals with Jesús Sánchez ($6.8 million), Nick Allen ($1.4 million), Jake Meyers ($3.55 million), Hayden Wesneski ($975,000), and Bennett Sousa ($910,000). That’s a solid group of controllable talent, giving Houston a mix of everyday contributors and depth options locked in for 2026.

But arbitration isn’t just about the money – it’s about maintaining relationships and keeping the clubhouse energy in the right place. Hearings can get personal.

Teams and players make their case in front of a panel, often highlighting weaknesses as much as strengths. Most clubs, especially veteran ones like Houston, prefer to avoid that route when possible.

It’s not just about avoiding awkward conversations – it’s about keeping momentum and chemistry intact heading into spring.

Still, not every negotiation found common ground.

Isaac Paredes, the former All-Star infielder, didn’t reach an agreement. He filed at $9.95 million, while the team countered at $8.75 million. That gap will now likely be decided by an arbitration panel unless a deal is struck in the coming weeks.

Yainer Díaz, the young catcher with a rising profile, also remains unsigned after the two sides couldn’t bridge a reported gap of over a million dollars. His case, like Paredes’, is headed for a February hearing unless something changes.

Both players are still expected to be part of the Astros’ plans in 2026, but these unresolved cases will be among the more closely watched arbitration showdowns of the offseason.

For now, though, Houston has done what it needed to do. With nine deals in the books, the front office can turn its attention to bigger-picture roster moves – whether that’s free agency, trades, or internal extensions. Getting this many arbitration cases settled early allows the Astros to plan around their core, manage payroll with more precision, and keep the focus on baseball as camp approaches.

In a league where distractions can derail even the most talented rosters, the Astros just took a big step toward stability.