The Houston Astros came into this offseason with a clear mission: retool the roster and get back to October baseball in 2026. They’ve been active-trades, free agent signings, and internal reshuffling have all been on the table. But one issue has lingered like a hanging curveball: the infield logjam.

With a surplus of infielders and only so many spots to go around, the Astros have been exploring trade options for months. Two names have dominated those conversations-Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes. And now, with Spring Training just around the corner, general manager Dana Brown has provided a key update that gives us a better sense of where things stand.

According to Brown, trade talks have “slowed,” though he didn’t shut the door entirely on a deal coming together once camp gets underway. That’s a notable shift in tone.

For much of the offseason, Houston had been working the phones, trying to create flexibility and extract value from one of their infielders. Now, it seems the market has cooled.

Let’s break this down.

Christian Walker was always going to be a tough sell. He’s a veteran with a solid track record, but his recent struggles and the $40 million remaining on his contract over the next two seasons have made teams hesitant.

In a league increasingly driven by value and cost control, that kind of financial commitment-especially for a player whose production has dipped-is a tough pill to swallow. The Astros would love to move him, but the interest just isn’t there.

That leaves Isaac Paredes as the more attractive trade chip. He’s a 25-year-old All-Star third baseman with two years of team control left and a bat that plays.

In a vacuum, that’s the kind of player who draws serious attention. And for a while, he did.

But timing is everything in this league.

The Boston Red Sox were considered one of the best fits for Paredes. They had a need at third base and the prospect capital to make a deal work.

But with Boston recently acquiring Caleb Durbin from the Brewers, that door appears to have closed. It’s a significant development, because it narrows the field of potential suitors.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are another team that could make sense. They’ve got young talent, they’re trending upward, and Paredes could be a nice fit in their infield.

But there’s no guarantee they’re ready to make that kind of move. Pittsburgh might be comfortable standing pat, especially if they’re not convinced Paredes is the missing piece.

So where does that leave the Astros?

In a bit of a holding pattern. The market for Walker is thin, and the best landing spot for Paredes may have just dried up. That’s not an ideal spot to be in, especially for a team trying to tighten up its roster before the grind of a 162-game season begins.

Still, Brown’s comments make one thing clear: the book isn’t closed. While talks have slowed, a deal could still materialize during Spring Training.

Injuries happen. Teams reassess.

Needs change. And if the right opportunity presents itself, the Astros will be ready to act.

For now, though, Houston enters camp with more questions than answers in the infield. And while that’s not the position they hoped to be in, there’s still time for the situation to evolve.

The pieces are there. The challenge is finding the right puzzle to fit them into.