We had two minor league teams run by Ryan-Sanders for years. Not a big deal.

The Astros will pick 17th overall in the MLB Draft. They had a 0.34% chance to win the lottery.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) December 9, 2025

Yainer dong in the Dominican winter league in his first AB

Could the Astros make it work with both Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes on the roster? Sure. Injuries happen. Insurance is needed. Maybe they will do it. But is it prudent to commit ~$30 million to two players you can't guarantee everyday at-bats? - https://t.co/U6ZQ7cImIV

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) December 10, 2025

To me, this is setting the stage for Isaac going away

They have little choice but to hope he's healthy for 150 games.

Either Parades or Walker are gonna need to go. I don't think Walker moves the needle anywhere near what is needed for young starting pitching. That leaves Parades

redline248 said:

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They have little choice but to hope he's healthy for 150 games.

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Been saying since the end of the season that this was going to be an issue. With our 75% geriatric IF, I almost feel like it is naive to think we might make it all year without somebody losing major time to an injury. Going to be a shame to send Paredes packing only to have Walker go full Capt Lou 2.0, Altuve ding his foot in the WBC and miss the first half of the season, and Carlos "slip and hurt himself" again. And if we won't start protecting our hitters, don't be surprised if the Mariners put Pena on the IL again. Would make me a lot happier if the IF we traded away was Walker...but with Paredes non-repaired hamstring, he may be the first one down.

EastCoastAgNc said:

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Walker can go in his own trade, but I really don't want to see Isaac go for a starter. That is just plugging one hole in the boat and immediately drilling a new one.

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That is the way I feel. I know pitching is a need, but we have so few decent hitters in our lineup, I just hate to see Paredes go away without replacing him with somebody who can hit.

This makes no sense to me.

1) I don't think Yordan's health problems have had anything to do with DH vs. LF. He plays a better LF and actually hits better when he plays LF. I wouldn't advocate for him being an everyday LF, but I don't think the timeshare between DH and LF has worsened his hands or knees.

2) LF was no strain at all for Altuve last year. The ball was rarely hit his way in the way we selectively played him. Therefore, I do not believe health has any bearing on this decision, despite what Brown says.

3) Trading Paredes because it is the best way to improve the club MAY be an argument you can make. But trading him because NOW you suddenly decide you don't have a spot is odd.

4) Since I put little weight in what Brown says publicly about our plans, I would be quick to dismiss 1-3. However, if you DO intend to trade Paredes or Walker, wouldn't you want to posture the opposite way and make it seem like we don't HAVE to trade one of them?

Puzzling to me all around.

SpaceCityAg05 said:

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This makes no sense to me.

1) I don't think Yordan's health problems have had anything to do with DH vs. LF. He plays a better LF and actually hits better when he plays LF. I wouldn't advocate for him being an everyday LF, but I don't think the timeshare between DH and LF has worsened his hands or knees.

2) LF was no strain at all for Altuve last year. The ball was rarely hit his way in the way we selectively played him. Therefore, I do not believe health has any bearing on this decision, despite what Brown says.

3) Trading Paredes because it is the best way to improve the club MAY be an argument you can make. But trading him because NOW you suddenly decide you don't have a spot is odd.

4) Since I put little weight in what Brown says publicly about our plans, I would be quick to dismiss 1-3. However, if you DO intend to trade Paredes or Walker, wouldn't you want to posture the opposite way and make it seem like we don't HAVE to trade one of them?

Puzzling to me all around.

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May be that Paredes and Meyers are the only ones we are getting calls about and Meyers isn't going to bring a #2-3 starter in return.

I should add that this is why someone like Donovan would be so valuable. You could play him in LF with Altuve at 2B on the road at parks that are big or have artificial turf. You could play Donovan at 2B, Yordan in LF, and Altuve at DH at home. You can open up DH at-bats for someone else by sitting Donovan against certain LHP.

We need to avoid locking ourselves into an inflexible arrangement. That is also part of the appeal of keeping Paredes at 1B is that it gets you 3B depth on the roster. Correa at 3B is also SS depth, etc.

Locking ourselves into positions for Yordan and Altuve and then trading Paredes on top of already trading Dubon and non-tendering Urias would be a radical undermining of roster depth and flexibility.

First IL stint with your aging roster and you are already in a hole having to start a JAG.

SpaceCityAg05 said:

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I should add that this is why someone like Donovan would be so valuable. You could play him in LF with Altuve at 2B on the road at parks that are big or have artificial turf. You could play Donovan at 2B, Yordan in LF, and Altuve at DH at home. You can open up DH at-bats for someone else by sitting Donovan against certain LHP.

We need to avoid locking ourselves into an inflexible arrangement. That is also part of the appeal of keeping Paredes at 1B is that it gets you 3B depth on the roster. Correa at 3B is also SS depth, etc.

Locking ourselves into positions for Yordan and Altuve and then trading Paredes on top of already trading Dubon and non-tendering Urias would be a radical undermining of roster depth and flexibility.

First IL stint with your aging roster and you are already in a hole having to start a JAG.

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If we were trading Paredes for Donovan or another LH 2B, I would be much happier.

CharleyKerfeld said:

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All these problems will cease to exist when Yordan gets hurt on May 3 and missed another 90 games.

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While I'm fully on board the sarcasm train, let's be honest.

Yordan needs to play a full season. Not just for the team but to go from "potential" to "top 3 in the league" guy that he can be.

Agreed. If we move Paredes, it needs to be for another bat that is a better roster fit.

I think we should either hold on to him or trade him for a 2B/OF, not trade him chasing pitching and further undermining our offense.

If Boston wants him, then we need to trade him for Duran or Abreu.

Dana Brown was asked today whether the Astros are discussing Jeremy Peña in trades

"No. His name has not come up and I think teams understand if you're a winning team and you're trying to go back to the postseason, there's no way you can trade your starting shortstop." https://t.co/EJYNb6KUHX

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) December 10, 2025

Trade Paredes for Duran or Abreu.

Trade Spaghetti and Meyers for Donovan.

Sign FA pitching.

Not near enough for Duran

Waaaayyyy too much for Donovan

Haha...those aren't literal trades or anyone could be a GM. Just how you could deploy assets towards trade packages.

Marlins engaged in trade talks involving Edward Cabrera with numerous teams. Miami has terrific starting pitching depth so can afford to move a starter. @Ken_Rosenthal mentioned

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2025

Ketel Marte market heating up: Red Sox, Mariners, Jays, possibly Phillies and Rays. D-Backs seeking big package understandably for superstar 2B.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2025

News: Some clarity on Shane Bieber’s health and his decision to take his player option with #BlueJays: https://t.co/jRDNor3RZo

— Mitch Bannon (@MitchBannon) December 10, 2025

Orlando, FL @TarikSkubal UPDATE I’m hearing the Skubal deal is essentially in place — the pieces are agreed to, the framework is done. What’s holding it up now is the long-term extension and ownership approval in Detroit. The @Tigers won’t green-light it without the owner’s… pic.twitter.com/LKlUza3PEx

— David Pingalore (@DavidPingalore) December 10, 2025

Closer Kyle Finnegan and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a two-year, $19 million contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. Finnegan was excellent after joining the Tigers at the trade deadline and returns on a multiyear deal. First on the agreement: @ByRobertMurray.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 10, 2025

I'm really hoping we can pick up some bullpen help before next season.

the front office has sure soured on Paredes quickly

must think another injury is inevitable

Mathguy64 said:

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Maybe, just maybe Skubal to the LAD will be the straw that breaks the camel's back in terms of just how badly LA has broken the spending system in MLB.

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MLB won't notice until the Dodgers start buying other countries' entire leagues like Japan and calling them "the minors".

Need to resurrect Sam Rayburn and get him going after them via antirust laws.

Farmer1906 said:

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W said:

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the front office has sure soured on Paredes quickly

must think another injury is inevitable

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I don't think is true at all. He has value so teams are asking. I also think Walker is more likely to get moved than Paredes.

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I would think we WANT to move Walker more than Paredes, but I am not sure I would consider it more likely.

Severian the Torturer said:

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I think it's difficult when you have literally zero trade ammunition and your owner and all star first baseman saddled you with the albatrosses.

The guy is working under about 11 different constraints. No prospect ammo, don't go over the luxury tax threshold, massive contracts to underperforming/injured players.

It's hard to evaluate him.

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I agree. I think Dana has been hamstrung by a bad farm system, demanding win now and forever owner, a couple bad contracts he had nothing to do with, Crane's seeming unwillingness to sign pitchers to long term deals and the decline of the golden era players.

Wabs said:

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MosesHallRAB04 said:

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From Orlando, FL — here’s what I’m hearing at the Winter Meetings:
The @dodgers are in talks on a potential mega trade for @tigers ace @tarikskubal.
Nothing done yet, but momentum is real… and this could heat up as soon as today. @KTLA#MLB #Dodgers #ITFDB #KTLA #TarikSkubal… pic.twitter.com/UifpUKRXze

— David Pingalore (@DavidPingalore) December 8, 2025

Hurray. The freaking dodgers trying to get Skubal.

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Do the Dodgers have a GM? If so, has to be the easiest job in the history of man. Bottomless pockets.

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Like after signing the best free agent closer last year doesn't work out, you just do it again.

Closer Tanner Scott and the Los Angeles Dodgers in agreement on a four-year, $72 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Scott, 30, was the best free agent reliever available this winter and got paid an elite amount as part of a deep Dodgers bullpen. @Feinsand was on the news.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 19, 2025

Closer Edwin Díaz's deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers is for three years and $69 million, sources tell ESPN. The Dodgers, who were targeting bullpen help this winter, got the best closer on the market, setting a new AAV record for relievers.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 9, 2025

Yeah seems he is being setup to be the fall guy. Very unfortunate. By not committing to him you are also giving bad incentives. He could cave into a bad "win now" move that does significant long term damage. Think you are better off extending him and being willing to pay the buyout if things really go south. At least then he's not motivated to do something stupid.