Astros could help solve Reds' third base problem, but it might cost them Nick Lodolo

The Cincinnati Reds have to find a way to fix third base during the offseason, and Houston Astros slugger Isaac Paredes — who's likely to be traded — should be on their shortlist. Of course, swinging a deal for the two-time All-Star won't come cheap, and could cost the Reds a player like Nick Lodolo.

Third base was a black hole offensively for the Reds in 2026. The position yielded a .181/.254/.329 slash line with a 58 wRC+. Except for slugging percentage, those numbers rank dead-last in all of Major League Baseball. The position itself was worth -1.2 fWAR, and that even includes the positive impact Sal Stewart had in 45 games at the hot corner last season.

Obviously, the lion's share of the blame falls at the feet of Ke'Bryan Hayes who put forth one of the worst offensive performances in Major League history — that's not an exaggeration. He hit just .141/.194/.225 with a 13 wRC+. Despite the remaining three years and $29 million on Hayes' contact, the Reds cannot afford to simply run it back next season and hope for the best.

Paredes had yet another productive season in 2026. It was the fifth time in six seasons he surpassed 20 home runs and also posted a wRC+ above 115. Not only does Parades have the type of power numbers traditionally attributed to third basemen, but his .342 career on-base percentage and 16.5% strikeout rate would fit with the Reds newfound emphasis on putting the ball in play.

But the Astros aren't going to just Paredes away for peanuts. He's entering the final year of arbitration eligibility, but also has a $13.35 million club-option for 2027. Houston essentially has to decide what's more cost effective: picking up the option or tendering him a contract. MLB Trade Rumors expects Paredes to take home $15 million through the arbitration process, so the smart money is on the Astros simply exercising their club-option.

Reds and Astros could work out a trade centered around Isaac Paredes and Nick Lodolo

But what would Houston want in return? Pitching, pitching, and more pitching. The Astros' rotation was almost as embarrassing as the Reds' starting staff. Houston starters ranked 27th, just ahead of the Reds, with a 4.81 ERA and 4.75 FIP in 2026.

Astros owner Jim Crane has long maintained that while he's in charge, Houston's window for success will remain open. So there's little doubt Houston will be looking to bolster their rotation during the offseason, and Lodolo might actually fit the type of pitcher Houston is looking for.

Houston's rotation is made up of predominantly right-handed pitchers. Hunter Brown, Christian Javier, Tatsuya Imai, Peter Lambert, and Hayden Wesneski are all right-handed starters. Adding a lefty like Lodolo would certainly offer Houston's rotation a different look.

Lodolo had a down-year in 2026 and was once again plagued by blister issues on his left index finger. Lodolo altered the grip on his breaking ball over his final nine starts in an effort to lessen the pressure on his index finger. With that, however, came a mixture of success and failure. He covered 46 innings, including three outings that went six innings or more, but still posted a 5.48 ERA with a 9.2% walk rate.

On the plus side for Houston, they'd be getting Lodolo for next to nothing ($5.7 million arbitration projection), and if things don't work out, he's a free agent after the season. Reds fans have seen Lodolo at his very best, and when he's on his game and healthy, he's a top-of-the-rotation starter.

Some other moving pieces would likely be included in such a deal, but nothing that couldn't be negotiated. A trade between the Reds and Astros centered around Paredes and Lodolo has the makings of a win-win for both organizations. We'll have to wait until November to see if they agree.

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