The Philadelphia Phillies have stumbled out of the gate in the 2026 season, posting an 8-10 record that leaves them sitting in fourth place in the NL East. A major factor behind their slow start has been inconsistent offensive production, with several key hitters struggling to find their rhythm. As a result, the team has had difficulty building momentum and putting together winning streaks.
One of the most notable underperformers has been third baseman Alec Bohm, an All-Star talent who has not lived up to expectations so far this year. Given his struggles, some analysts believe the Phillies should consider moving on and seeking an upgrade. Among them is Sports Illustrated’s Patrick McAvoy, who has suggested a potential trade scenario that would bring in Houston Astros infielder Isaac Paredes, a two-time All-Star, to bolster Philadelphia’s lineup.
In McAvoy’s proposed deal, the Phillies would acquire Paredes, while the Astros would receive right-handed pitcher Taijuan Walker along with two prospects: outfielder Dante Nori, ranked as Philadelphia’s No. 7 prospect, and right-handed pitcher Wen-Hui Pan, their No. 14 prospect. The idea behind the trade is to address needs on both sides, with Philadelphia looking for more offensive consistency and Houston seeking pitching depth and young talent.
Despite not being an ideal positional fit, Paredes could provide a valuable offensive boost for the Phillies. With both Bohm and second baseman Bryson Stott struggling, Philadelphia could find creative ways to get Paredes’ bat into the lineup, whether at third base, elsewhere in the infield, or even in a designated hitter role when needed. His presence could help stabilize an offense that has lacked reliability in the early part of the season.
From Houston’s perspective, the proposed return addresses multiple needs. The Astros have been searching for pitching help, and while Walker has not been particularly strong this season, he could still serve as a useful addition to their rotation or depth chart. Meanwhile, Nori represents a promising left-handed hitting outfielder currently developing at the Double-A level, and Pan adds another arm with potential for the future.
Paredes’ current numbers have dipped, partly due to reduced playing time after the Astros brought back Carlos Correa, which pushed him into a lesser role. So far this season, he has posted a .208 batting average with a .344 on-base percentage and a .283 slugging percentage, along with six RBIs. While those figures are modest, they still compare favorably to Bohm’s production.
Looking back at his 2025 performance, Paredes demonstrated much stronger offensive capabilities. In 102 games, he recorded a .254/.352/.458 slash line, along with 15 doubles, 20 home runs, and 53 RBIs. That track record suggests he could rebound with more consistent opportunities.
Additionally, Paredes remains under team control through next season, which adds to his value. For the Phillies, pursuing a deal like this could represent a proactive step toward improving their offense and turning their season around before it slips further out of reach.
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