The Milwaukee Brewers have made a habit of defying expectations. Despite consistently ranking near the bottom of the league in payroll, they wrapped up last season with the best record in baseball-marking their fifth playoff appearance in the last eight years.
That kind of sustained success on a budget doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the product of smart front office moves, a strong development pipeline, and a knack for finding value where others don’t.
But as spring training nears, the Brewers are clearly still looking to fine-tune their roster. After sending infielder Caleb Durbin to the Boston Red Sox last week, Milwaukee now finds itself with a clear need on the infield-specifically at third base. One name that’s been gaining traction as a potential solution: Isaac Paredes of the Houston Astros.
Paredes, a 26-year-old slugger with an All-Star pedigree, could be exactly the kind of impact bat the Brewers are looking for. He’s coming off a quietly strong season in Houston, posting a .254/.352/.458 slash line with 20 home runs and a 123 OPS+ across 102 games.
That’s solid production by any standard, especially considering he spent a chunk of the season on the injured list. His 2.7 bWAR speaks to the all-around value he brings-not just with the bat, but as a reliable presence at the hot corner.
The fit here makes a lot of sense. The Astros are reportedly open to moving Paredes, largely due to a surplus of infield depth and a desire to trim some payroll.
Paredes recently signed a one-year, $9.35 million deal with a team option for 2027 worth $13.35 million. That’s a manageable figure for a player with his upside, but Houston is in a position where moving him could help address other needs-namely, starting pitching.
That’s where Milwaukee comes in. The Brewers have the kind of rotation depth that could appeal to Houston, especially if the Astros are looking for cost-controlled arms to round out their staff.
A trade built around that kind of exchange-Paredes for pitching-feels like a win-win scenario. Milwaukee gets a power bat to plug into the middle of the lineup and a long-term answer at third base.
Houston gets to reinforce its rotation without taking a hit on the infield.
But the Brewers aren’t alone in their pursuit. According to multiple league sources, at least five teams have expressed interest in Paredes, including the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates, in particular, are in the market for a third baseman after missing out on free agent Eugenio Suárez, who signed with the Cincinnati Reds. That kind of competition could drive up the asking price, especially with spring training just around the corner.
Still, Milwaukee’s combination of need, fit, and available assets makes them a compelling trade partner. Paredes isn’t just a stopgap-he’s a 26-year-old with pop, patience, and positional versatility. For a club that’s always looking to maximize value, he checks a lot of boxes.
The Brewers have built their recent success on smart, calculated moves-not flashy splashes. But sometimes, the right trade at the right time can be both. If Milwaukee can land Paredes, it would be a significant step toward solidifying a roster that’s already proven it can compete with the best.
