Astros projected top-four trade assets strangely does not include All-Star infielder

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The Houston Astros might be trending in the right direction lately, but they're still a potential trade deadline seller this season after a rough start to the season.

If they do sell, there will be plenty of intriguing options for teams to inquire about. Yordan Alvarez is the best possible trade target, but a deal is incredibly unlikely, even if Houston completely collapses as the deadline nears.

But, with Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer revealing the Astros' top-four trade assets this season, including Alvarez, there is a strange lack of an All-Star infielder who really should be one of the top trade chips for the team this season.

Astros projected top trade chips doesn't include obvious All-Star infielder​

"Their Best Trade Chips: DH Yordan Alvarez, SS Jeremy Pena, 1B Christian Walker, LHP Josh Hader," Rymer writes.

Of this group, Alvarez is not likely to be dealt at all, while Pena could be moved, though it's not very likely. Walker and Hader are two obvious trade chips, but there's a notable infielder left out of this group.

Isaac Paredes, the All-Star infielder, was named with "The Best of the Rest" of the Astros trade chips this summer alongside Bryan Abrea, Steven Okert, and Enyel De Los Santos.

While Paredes might not be the name-brand trade target like Walker, Alvarez, Pena, and Hader, he's still someone who should be a more valuable trade chip than being bundled with the rental Astros relievers.

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The 27-year-old infielder is under club control through the 2027 season, and while his .238 batting average and .759 OPS this season are below his previous production, it's still good enough for a 111 OPS+, which should make him a desirable trade asset this season.

If the Astros are sellers, Paredes, who was named in trade rumors for much of the offseason, should be among the top trade chips that the Astros consider parting with this summer.

He shouldn't be grouped in with the depth relievers the Astros could trade, as he's much more than a simple trade chip. He's someone who could bring back a solid return and should be named alongside the likes of the top trade assets, according to Rymer.

More MLB news:​

• 5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for Cardinals
• Ex-MLB GM projects White Sox to sell at trade deadline despite 2026 success
• Tarik Skubal being traded by Tigers would help him in free agency
• Cubs’ cost to trade for Tarik Skubal from Tigers revealed by ex-MLB GM
• Phillies extending Cristopher Sanchez to his $107 million deal was genius

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