I have heard different things from people around the Astros about Paredes. What we do know is that Paredes thinks he can play second. He is known to have played it competently in the past but not as well as third base. We also know Paredes has a strong work ethic and positions himself very well. He also has a lot more financial value at 2nd than 1st so he will do what he can. The final decision will not be made by Espada or even position coaches - it will be Dana Brown who has shown the ability to quickly figure out where a guy can play. What I have been told is that some with Astros are skeptical he can start at second. Also the Astros would explore moving Walker if they needed to so Paredes can play 1st if necessary. Looming over all of this is the Astros real pursuit of someone to replace Valdez. That is their top priority- and that means if Paredes is valued highly by a team, he could go in a deal for an ace. I think the most likely scenario is Walker is dealt - Paredes to 1st and money saved on Walker folded into another deal for a starter. I will admit though that an infield of Diaz, Walker, Paredes, Pena and Correa and Yordan at DH is extremely deep from a line up construction.
So what happens with the inevitable injuries? Seems like both Dubon and Urias aren't satisfied with the first man off the bench role...
I believe both Dubon and Urias are under team control for 2026. Yes injuries happen - a lot in 2025. However they have other controlled pieces to plug in.
They are. I am a fan of Urias. Dubon has value, but I’m less excited about him with the way our infield looks right now. I think his defense in the OF is just fine, and the bat doesn’t play there.
Dubon is at the top of my players to trade this fall list. He has been a nice player to have around but he has become much too expensive for a bench utility player. It is time to move on.
He's produced 2+ WAR so far this season (~$16MM in value) getting paid $5MM. His value comes from the fact that he can cover any injury except catcher, so you're not having to throw random minor leaguers out there and don't need a backup at every position. Marwin was the same way. Those guys have immense value even if their bat is mediocre just from a roster construction standpoint.
I feel he is this generation's Eric Bruntlett... I wish he showed a bit more on the basepaths (20 career steals) or situational small ball skills (10 sacrifice hits, 18 sac flys for his career).
Marwin though led the team in RBIs in 2017... and somehow... the Rat led the team in innings pitched...
I am a firm believer that Marwin gained the most from the trash cans of anyone. What has he done since 2017?
Brandon Walter was removed from the list of injury updates on Houston’s site. That can’t be good. I’d already assumed he was done for the year but it would be nice to get confirmation and an update on when he might return next year. Meyers, Dezenzo, Leon, and Caratini should be available to return later this week. I assume Dezenzo and Leon will just stay on the IL until the end of the season to avoid burning an option year. We should get an update on Hader and Sousa next week. Both guys are probably done for the year but there’s a small chance they could come back for the playoffs. Paredes is the big unknown. Based on his instagram, he expects to be back this season. Rodgers, Rooney, Wesneski, and Blanco are done for the season.
There’s no doubt he’s a valuable player but I prefer Urias’ bat so I’d never play Dubon on the infield over him and we should be able to cover the OF next season with Sanchez, Meyers, Cam, and Altuve/Yordan.
Man I hope Brandon Walter doesn’t need TJ. That guy flashed some serious value over a decent sample size.
If Jose Altuve isn’t washed, Jake Meyers Carrie’s over what he’s done this year and they figure out can or make that a platoon with Jesus Sanchez there’s no one not an offensive threat on that team.
Fair - though I'd point out that we should have been able to cover the outfield this year wtih Meyers, Cam, Altuve, Yordan, Chas, and Dezenzo, and yet we were routinely running out Hummel and Trammell. Or guys like Short, Whitcomb and Matthews in the infield. And that was all with Dubon available but covering other positions. There are so many people on this roster that have limited real positional flexibility or defensive and injury concerns that I think having a bench with both Urias and Dubon is a huge benefit.
I understand that its hard to justify paying a guy without a starting spot Arb4 money. It's especially hard when the team has holes and is over the CBT. That said, ( and I have advocated to trade him for the last 2 years) he is not properly appreciated by the fans. He is an exceptional glove with a strong arm at at least 5 positions and can play 7. That is extremely valuable if your top 8 fielders are limited to 1 or 2 positions. In addition, his bat does not get the credit it deserves. Vs LHP, he has a career wRC+ of 110. It's not just a trend, its over 100 every year. Maybe in the past that was not important, but with Jesus Sanchez (40), Trammell (34), and Melton (-22 in very limited PAs but projected to be poor) on the roster it is FWIW: Urias is 102 and can't play the outfield. LHP is only about 30% of pitching, but it isn't zero.
There is a LOT of value having both Urias and Dubon on your bench in my opinion. Neither are studs, but both are very competent MLB level players and cover multilpe positions
2027 seems like most likely outcome. I had Jake up Friday of the rangers series for the last 10 or 15 days. That’s tracking nicely.
