Astros' 35% Jeremy Pena trade dilemma may have offseason solution

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Astros' 35% Jeremy Pena trade dilemma may have offseason solution originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Houston Astros are stuck in the middle of a postseason hopeful and trade deadline seller.

Perhaps the next two weeks will determine the fate of a handful of players on the roster, including shortstop Jeremy Pena.

Pena does not reach free agency until after the 2027 season, but the Astros would undoubtedly receive a more desirable trade package for him now than next summer.

Even so, it's unlikely the Astros will move the former All-Star and World Series MVP. ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel have the odds of a trade at 35%.

First, Dana Brown, Houston's general manager, is in the final year of his contract. The same can be said about manager Joe Espada.

Both men want to win. Having Pena on the roster makes the Astros better than they would be without him. It's simple math.

Also, there may not be many trade suitors for the shortstop.

Why Astros could wait until this winter to trade Pena​

"The one potential drawback from Houston's perspective: There aren't a whole lot of contenders in the market for a shortstop, and it might make more sense to wait until the winter," Passan and McDaniel wrote.

It may be smart for the Astros to wait until the offseason to entertain offers for Pena. Plus, the Astros almost surely plan to contend in 2027.

MORE: Phillies ‘would love’ to trade for Mets reliever Luke Weaver

Would it make more sense to extend the 28-year-old, providing Houston with its long-term shortstop?

In the next few weeks, we'll know which direction the Astros take.

Unless the AL West club can go on a Boston Red Sox-like winning streak, their postseason hopes may deteriorate.

More MLB news:​

• Braves injury update on Spencer Strider has execs ‘pessimistic’ about a 2026 return
• White Sox have strong interest in Mets’ Clay Holmes with scout attending rehab assignment
• Yankees send scouts to Cubs vs. Twins series amid trade interest in three players
• MLB execs believe Padres will trade Mason Miller at trade deadline

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