Astros Have the Trade Chips but Only Weeks Before a Possible Lockout

One of the biggest problems for the Astros heading into the 2027 season is their crowded infield. With Carlos Correa returning, Houston has too many players expecting regular playing time.

It is looking more and more like a trade could be the only solution.

With the potential lockout looming and the uncertainty surrounding 2027, the trade market could lead to teams trading players with one year left on their contracts rather than trading for younger talent. Teams might be trading for the present rather than the future.

The window is short. If the labor deal expires December 1 and a lockout follows, trades involving major leaguers would freeze, so Flores may have only a few weeks to turn his infield surplus into help.

Instead of trading two top prospects for a great pitcher, we might see more top players being traded for other top players. For the Astros, that could be Jeremy Peña.

While Peña is a valuable piece of the puzzle, he is entering his final year under team control. That poses the question: Will Peña be a lifetime Astros player, or will we see him move on? Could this lockout affect his future?

The risk of keeping Peña is that he becomes a free agent after 2027. If Houston can’t reach an extension, the Astros could lose him without getting a player in return. Trading him now would at least give Houston a chance to get something back.

The Astros also picked up Isaac Paredes’ $13.35 million club option for 2027, keeping him under contract for another season.

Christian Walker is entering the final year of his contract, but Peña’s value as an established shortstop could make him an attractive trade option.

Now, losing Peña would sting, but could this potential new trade market work in Houston’s favor?

Let’s say the Astros are only focusing on 2027 and not the future at all. They could potentially trade Peña for a top pitcher. Correa would step right in, and the infield would be solid, and they would have a stronger pitching staff. Seems like an easy call. 

Now, for the future, it’s not so simple. Correa is 32, and Peña is 29. You might pick the younger player who isn’t as injury-prone, but that doesn’t help the overcrowding.

Now, Peña isn’t the only trade option. They have Walker, but Walker is 35, turning 36 in March, and doesn’t have as much value as Peña right now. They might not be able to get the level of pitcher they need by trading Walker.

Pitching isn’t the only area where the Astros are in need. The outfield is also looking thin. Trading Walker could potentially get the Astros what they are lacking in the outfield, though his limited no-trade clause could make a deal harder.

Regardless, MLB trades could look different this offseason, and Houston’s crowded infield could give the Astros an advantage. The Astros have the chips. The question is whether they use them before the clock runs out.