The Baltimore Orioles entered 2026 determined to prove that last season’s disappointment was an outlier. After a 100-win peak not long ago, Baltimore retooled aggressively, adding proven veterans to complement one of baseball’s brightest young cores.

But just as optimism began to build, injuries struck again — and now the Orioles may need to get creative.

With infield reinforcements suddenly a priority, a trade with the Houston Astros could offer the perfect solution. Specifically, Baltimore could target Houston’s odd man out: Isaac Paredes.

Orioles Infield Emergency: Holliday and Westburg Injuries Force Action

Baltimore’s depth took a major hit when two cornerstone infielders went down.

Top prospect Jackson Holliday is sidelined with a broken hamate bone, an injury that can sap power even after a player returns. Meanwhile, Jordan Westburg suffered a torn UCL, an issue that could sideline him for an extended stretch.

Losing two everyday contributors this early places enormous strain on the Orioles’ lineup construction. While Baltimore still boasts elite talent — including Gunnar Henderson, who has MVP-level upside — the margin for error in the American League is slim.

Rather than relying solely on internal stopgaps, Baltimore could pursue a proven All-Star with team control. That’s where Paredes enters the picture.

Proposed Orioles-Astros Trade

Baltimore receives:

• Isaac Paredes (3B)

Houston receives:

• Enrique Bradfield Jr. (OF prospect)

• Jeremiah Jackson (OF)

For Baltimore, this deal delivers immediate stability at third base with cost-controlled years remaining. For Houston, it addresses a positional logjam while improving outfield depth.

Why Isaac Paredes Fits Baltimore Perfectly

Paredes is a two-time All-Star who quietly delivered strong production in 2025. Across 102 games, he hit .254 with 20 home runs and an .809 OPS — impressive numbers given the limited role he ultimately occupied in Houston.

His profile fits Baltimore’s needs almost seamlessly:

• Right-handed power

• Strong plate discipline

• Corner infield reliability

• Affordable club control

With Holliday and Westburg unavailable, Paredes could slot directly into the everyday lineup and lengthen an already dangerous batting order. If Henderson returns to MVP contention form, adding Paredes behind him could make the Orioles one of the American League’s most potent offenses.

Baltimore doesn’t need a rebuild. It needs reinforcement. Paredes provides that without sacrificing long-term flexibility.

Why the Astros Might Actually Consider It

On paper, trading an All-Star seems counterintuitive. But Houston’s roster construction complicates Paredes’ role.

He is a natural third baseman, yet that spot is occupied by Carlos Correa. Second base belongs to Jose Altuve, and attempts to move Altuve defensively last season proved unsuccessful. First base is locked down by Christian Walker, while designated hitter at-bats are tied to Yordan Álvarez.

Simply put, Houston lacks a clean everyday spot for Paredes.

Depth is valuable, but underutilizing a player of Paredes’ caliber creates inefficiency — especially when other roster areas need help.

Houston’s Outfield Problem

The Astros’ outfield production in 2025 was underwhelming. Not one regular outfielder posted an OPS north of .700. That lack of punch put pressure on the infield and DH spots to carry the offense.

Jeremiah Jackson could help immediately. In 48 games for Baltimore, he hit .276 with five home runs and 21 RBI. While some regression might be expected over a larger sample, his strong arm in right field and positional flexibility add tangible value.

Enrique Bradfield Jr., meanwhile, offers long-term upside. The Orioles’ No. 4 prospect climbed from High-A to Triple-A in one season. Though his bat remains a work in progress, his elite speed stands out. Bradfield stole 36 bases in 76 minor league games last year after swiping 74 the season prior across multiple levels.

Defensively, he projects as a future Gold Glove-caliber center fielder. For a Houston team exploring ways to reshape its outfield — potentially even moving on from players like Jake Meyers — Bradfield’s defensive ceiling could be extremely attractive.

Risk vs. Reward for Baltimore

Every trade carries risk. Baltimore would be parting with a top-five organizational prospect and a young outfielder who showed flashes at the big-league level.

But context matters.

The Orioles are in win-now mode. They have already demonstrated that by adding names like Pete Alonso, Ryan Helsley, and Shane Baz to reinforce the roster.

When a team believes its championship window is open, addressing immediate weaknesses becomes more important than preserving every future asset.

Paredes is not a rental. With multiple years of team control, he provides both short-term stability and medium-term value. If Holliday and Westburg return healthy later in the season, Baltimore would suddenly boast enviable infield depth rather than scrambling for answers.

The Bottom Line

The Orioles cannot afford to let early injuries derail another season. The American League East is unforgiving, and hesitation often proves costly.

For Houston, moving Paredes could solve a positional crunch while injecting athleticism and depth into a struggling outfield.

For Baltimore, acquiring him would stabilize the infield, maintain offensive potency, and reinforce the club’s commitment to contention.

It’s rare to find a trade that cleanly addresses both teams’ problems. But this Orioles-Astros proposal might do exactly that — solving Baltimore’s infield emergency while giving Houston the flexibility it currently lacks.

If the injuries linger and the Astros decide to rebalance their roster, don’t be surprised if Isaac Paredes becomes the centerpiece of one of 2026’s most logical blockbuster trades.