5 questions for Astros with spring right around the corner

This story was excerpted from Brian McTaggart’s Astros Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

HOUSTON -- We’re one month away from pitchers and catchers taking the field in the first workout of Spring Training in West Palm Beach, Fla. It’s been an interesting offseason for the Astros, who have bolstered the depth of their starting rotation, highlighted by the signing of Japanese star Tatsuya Imai last week.

While the Astros’ major lifting appears to be done, there’s still a chance they could make another move in the next month, or even in the coming few months while they’re in Florida. Here are some questions that may be on your mind with sunny South Florida on the horizon:

Will the Astros make another trade?
It’s very possible. The club still has a surplus of infielders and could move one to make the roster fit together a bit better. The Astros are continuing to field calls from other teams about their infield, which means third baseman Isaac Paredes and first baseman Christian Walker.

Paredes was acquired from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade in December 2024, and he was an All-Star last year before missing most of the second half of the season with a right hamstring strain. The Astros acquired Carlos Correa at the Trade Deadline to play third, and with All-Star Jeremy Peña at shortstop, there’s a logjam. The Red Sox are one team to watch when it comes to Paredes, considering they lost Alex Bregman to the Cubs.

Then there’s Walker, who’s entering the second year of a three-year, $60 million deal after a disappointing season at the plate in ‘25. The Astros could trade Walker and put Paredes at first, but another team would have to pay a significant portion of Walker’s salary.

And don’t forget outfielder Jake Meyers, who has been on the trade block the entire winter. The Astros traded prospect Jacob Melton to the Rays because they’re committed to giving rookie Zach Cole (ranked by MLB Pipeline as the club's No. 17 prospect) a shot in center field. Trading Meyers would show further commitment to Cole, though Cam Smith and Brice Matthews (No. 1) can play center.

Outfielder Jesús Sánchez continues to draw trade interest as well, but the Astros will need another lefty bat if Sánchez departs.

Is the Jose Altuve left-field experiment over?
Not entirely. The big story a year ago at this time was Altuve’s move to left, which yielded mixed results. He wound up playing more at second base as the season progressed because of injuries, and it appears the Astros will have Altuve as their primary second baseman in 2026, though he may still play a handful of games in left field to balance out the playing time of others.

What’s the state of the bullpen?
Six of eight bullpen spots appear to be set, barring injury: Josh Hader, Bryan Abreu, Bryan King, Steven Okert, Bennett Sousa and Enyel De Los Santos. The Astros won’t have to use a six-man starting rotation until the third week of the regular season, so two bullpen spots will be open.

Nate Pearson signed in October and appears headed for the bullpen, while Roddery Muñoz was added in the Rule 5 Draft and must stay with the team all season or be offered back to the Reds. Then there’s AJ Blubaugh (No. 14) and Ryan Weiss, a pair of starters who could wind up in the ‘pen to begin the year.

Is Paredes healthy?
Apparently so. Paredes, who missed 55 games in the second half of last season due to the hamstring strain, played in nine games for his native Hermosillo in the Mexican Pacific Winter League and was 7-for-24 as the primary designated hitter. He started one game at first base but showed no signs of his hamstring being an issue. The question now is whether Paredes will play for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

Who will be the backup catcher?
The Astros couldn’t bring Victor Caratini back for a third year, and they appear content with César Salazar handling the backup duties behind Yainer Diaz. Salazar is limited at the plate, but he is a strong defender and respected by the pitchers. Houston also signed journeyman Carlos Pérez to a Minor League deal to provide depth in Triple-A, but there’s still a chance the Astros could land a catcher if they make another trade.