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Jordan Westburg has suffered another injury.

The Baltimore Orioles got hit with some tough news on Friday that they will be without Jordan Westburg for the first couple of months of the 2026 season, as he has a partial tear in his UCL. The injury isn’t season-ending, but it does force Baltimore’s hand a little bit in finding a replacement.

Orioles’ president of baseball operations, Mike Elias, has delivered on his promise all offseason in making this Orioles’ roster better, and he has certainly done that in a multitude of ways, but there’s still time to make one more meaningful move: Trading for Houston Astros‘ third baseman Isaac Paredes, who is perhaps the hottest name on the trade block ahead of the season.

Should the Orioles Trade for Isaac Paredes?

The Houston Astros are handcuffed by having Isaac Paredes on their current roster, as he’s being blocked by other infielders, and that’s what has led to reports that the Stros are willing to move on from him.

In a recent trade idea piece by FanSided’s Christopher Kline, the MLB writer proposes that the Orioles swoop in and make a trade with the Astros for Isaac Paredes, as Baltimore’s injuries are piling up before the season begins. Jackson Holliday will also be sidelined to start the season with a hamate bone injury.

Kline proposes that the Orioles send Houston prospects Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Jeremiah Jackson in the trade package:

“The Orioles receive a two-time All-Star with a couple years of cheap club control in Isaac Paredes. He fills an immediate need and should elevate what already projects (with enough positive regression) to be one of the more potent lineups in the American League, especially if Gunnar Henderson meets expectations and returns to MVP contention.”

It feels like it’s only a matter of time before Isaac Paredes is dealt, and the Orioles might be the winning organization to land the versatile infielder.

Isaac Paredes Value with Baltimore

Isaac Paredes hit .254 with the Astros in ’25 with 20 home runs and an OPS+ of 123 over 102 games.

He could slot right into the Orioles’ lineup as the everyday third baseman until Jordan Westburg returns, but even when Westburg returns, Paredes still has a lot of value on this Baltimore roster, and he could slide over to second base if Jackson Holliday is still dealing with his hamate bone injury, or even be the team’s DH.

The Orioles’ farm system has been a highlight for their organization for years now, but the time to compete for an AL East crown is now.

With Samuel Basallo also certainly going to be an everyday factor for the Orioles, that might also open the door for Baltimore to offload Adley Rutschman to regain the talent lost in a potential deal for Isaac Paredes. Paredes has posted an OPS+ of 112 or more in four straight seasons, which is well above average for an MLB hitter, and is the reason he’s the hottest name on the trade market at the moment.