Should the Baltimore Orioles Trade for Isaac Paredes After Jordan Westburg’s Injury?

The Baltimore Orioles received difficult news this week: All-Star infielder Jordan Westburg will miss the first couple of months of the 2026 season due to a partial UCL tear. While the injury is not season-ending, it creates an immediate void in Baltimore’s infield and forces the front office to explore short-term and potentially long-term solutions.

President of baseball operations Mike Elias has been proactive all offseason, strengthening the roster in multiple areas. However, with Westburg sidelined and other injuries surfacing, there may be one more impactful move left to make: trading for Isaac Paredes of the Houston Astros.

With Paredes reportedly available and Baltimore firmly in win-now mode, the timing could be ideal for a deal.

Jordan Westburg’s Injury Creates Immediate Need

Westburg’s partial UCL tear significantly weakens the Orioles’ infield depth. While the club expects him back midseason, losing his bat and defensive stability for multiple months is a major setback in a competitive AL East race.

Compounding the issue, top prospect Jackson Holliday is also expected to begin the season on the injured list due to a hamate bone injury. That leaves Baltimore thinner than anticipated at both second and third base.

For a team that has openly positioned itself as a contender, standing pat may not be an option.

Why Isaac Paredes Makes Sense for Baltimore

Isaac Paredes has quietly become one of the most productive and versatile infielders in the American League. In 2025, he hit .254 with 20 home runs and posted a 123 OPS+ across 102 games for Houston. Even more impressive, Paredes has recorded an OPS+ of 112 or better in four consecutive seasons — well above league average production.

Key Reasons the Orioles Should Target Paredes:

1. Immediate Third Base Solution
Paredes could slide directly into the everyday third base role while Westburg recovers.

2. Positional Versatility
He can also handle second base or serve as a designated hitter, offering flexibility once Westburg returns.

3. Cost-Controlled Asset
Paredes comes with multiple years of affordable team control, aligning perfectly with Baltimore’s competitive window.

4. Offensive Boost
Pairing Paredes with stars like Gunnar Henderson would strengthen what already projects to be one of the American League’s most dangerous lineups.

Why Are the Astros Willing to Trade Him?

The Astros’ situation is somewhat unique. Paredes is reportedly blocked by other infield options, creating roster congestion. Rather than letting his value stagnate, Houston may prefer to flip him for prospects and rebalance their system.

For Baltimore, this represents an opportunity to capitalize on another team’s roster logjam.

Proposed Trade Package: Is It Enough?

A recent trade proposal suggests the Orioles could send prospects Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Jeremiah Jackson to Houston in exchange for Paredes.

From Baltimore’s perspective, that’s a meaningful but not crippling price. The Orioles’ farm system has been among baseball’s strongest for several years, giving them the flexibility to move talent without dismantling their long-term outlook.

The bigger philosophical question is this: Is now the time to cash in prospect capital?

Given the current roster construction and injury landscape, the answer may very well be yes.

How Paredes Fits Once Westburg Returns

One of the strongest arguments in favor of acquiring Paredes is that he remains valuable even after Westburg returns.

Possible alignments include:

• Westburg at third base, Paredes at second

• Paredes rotating between second and DH

• Paredes serving as a high-impact utility infielder

Additionally, top catching prospect Samuel Basallo is expected to factor into the lineup regularly. His emergence could theoretically make Adley Rutschman more expendable in a larger roster reshuffle, though trading a franchise cornerstone would represent a much bigger strategic shift.

Regardless, adding Paredes would deepen the lineup in both the short and long term.

The AL East Window Is Open Now

The Orioles have spent years building one of MLB’s most respected farm systems. That rebuild has translated into tangible success, and expectations have shifted accordingly.

This is no longer a team developing for the future. It’s a team aiming to win the AL East and compete deep into October.

Standing still after losing Westburg — especially with Holliday also sidelined — risks falling behind divisional rivals. In a tightly contested division, early-season losses can prove costly.

Acquiring Paredes would send a clear message: Baltimore is serious about capitalizing on its championship window.

Potential Risks in Trading for Paredes

No trade is without risk.

• Prospect Cost: Moving young talent always carries long-term consequences.

• Performance Variability: While Paredes has been consistent, no hitter is immune to regression.

• Injury Exposure: Adding another everyday player increases workload demands across the infield.

However, the upside likely outweighs the risk — particularly given Paredes’ sustained offensive track record and team-friendly contract status.

Final Verdict: Should the Orioles Make the Move?

The Jordan Westburg injury has changed Baltimore’s calculus.

With the roster facing early adversity and the AL East race expected to be razor-thin, trading for Isaac Paredes makes strategic sense. He fills an immediate hole, provides long-term flexibility, and strengthens an already potent offense.

If Mike Elias truly believes this roster is ready to contend now, this is the type of decisive move contenders make.

It may only be a matter of time before Paredes is dealt. The question is whether the Orioles will seize the opportunity — or watch another contender make the move first.