During an interview on “Foul Territory,” Espada acknowledged the number of great players the Astros have on the roster. He claimed that the 27-year-old infielder is an All-Star quality player and doesn’t view Paredes as a rotational guy on the roster.
“Injuries do happen,” admitted Espada when talking about having strong depth in the infield. “We learned that last year. I don’t see Paredes as a plug-in. This [guy] is an All-Star. This guy is an everyday player. We have a plethora of really good players, and they all need to be in the lineup. We’ll find [an at-bat] for all these guys.”
"I don't see Paredes as a plug-in. This guy is an All-Star."
Joe Espada feels confident in his ability to get enough at-bats for guys involved in the infield logjam. pic.twitter.com/o7huw6LvXA
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) March 6, 2026
Isaac Paredes being an All-Star is a true statement. The six-year veteran has been named an All-Star twice in his career, including last season in 2025 during his first year in Houston. Paredes will have a chance to earn his third All-Star nod after signing a one-year, $9.35 million contract to return to the Astros and avoid arbitration.
After primarily playing third base for the Astros in 89 of his 102 game appearances, Paredes proved to be a great addition to the team’s infield. Isaac Paredes ended last season with a .254 batting average (career-high) and a .352 OBP (tied career-high) while recording 96 hits, 20 home runs, and 53 RBIs.
