Astros Secure All-Star Isaac Paredes with $9.35 Million Deal, Avoiding Arbitration

Houston Astros fans received a significant offseason boost as the team announced a one-year, $9.35 million agreement with All-Star infielder Isaac Paredes. The deal ensures Paredes will remain in Houston for the 2026 season, with both sides avoiding a salary arbitration hearing—a process that can often become contentious between players and teams.

The agreement, reported Tuesday, solidifies the Astros' infield depth as the club looks to build on its recent successes. Paredes, who earned his first All-Star selection in 2025, stands out for his combination of power, discipline at the plate, and defensive versatility across the infield. Bringing Paredes back under contract at $9.35 million also reflects his rising value in the league and the Astros’ commitment to keeping their core talent intact.

• Paredes agreed to a $9.35 million, one-year deal
• The contract allows both sides to avoid salary arbitration
• Paredes is coming off his first All-Star season

Salary arbitration is a common part of the MLB offseason, where eligible players and teams can have an independent arbiter determine their salary if they cannot reach an agreement. In this case, the Astros and Paredes found middle ground, sidestepping the need for a hearing and maintaining a positive working relationship moving forward.

Paredes’ performance in the previous season was a driving force behind his new salary figure. As an All-Star, his contributions on both sides of the ball were critical to Houston’s strong campaign. While the specific statistics from his breakout year were not disclosed in the latest announcement, Paredes has established a reputation for clutch hitting and steady defense, attributes highly valued by the Astros’ front office.

This deal positions Houston to continue contending in a competitive American League, reinforcing their infield with a proven performer. With Paredes avoiding the uncertainty of arbitration, he can now focus on preparing for the upcoming season and helping the Astros aim for another deep postseason run.