The Philadelphia Phillies have stumbled out of the gate in 2026, sitting at 8–10 and fourth in the NL East. With several hitters struggling, they’ve had trouble putting together consistent wins.
One of the biggest concerns is All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm, whose slump has raised questions about whether it’s time for the team to move on. Sports Illustrated’s Patrick McAvoy shares that view, suggesting the Phillies pursue a trade to upgrade at the position by acquiring Houston Astros two-time All-Star Isaac Paredes.
McAvoy’s proposed deal:
- Phillies receive: INF Isaac Paredes
- Astros receive: RHP Taijuan Walker, PHI No. 7 prospect OF Dante Nori, PHI No. 14 prospect RHP Wen-Hui Pan
According to McAvoy, the Phillies surprisingly need more offense. While Paredes isn’t a perfect positional fit, his bat could be used around the infield or at DH when Kyle Schwarber gets a rest. The Astros, meanwhile, are desperate for pitching depth. Walker hasn’t been sharp this year, but he would at least give Houston a viable starting option, and the addition of Nori an intriguing lefty-hitting outfielder in Double-A—plus another pitching prospect could get them interested.
Paredes has been relegated to a bench role this season, reflected in his .208/.344/.283/.627 line with six RBI—still an improvement over Bohm’s production. Last year, before the Astros brought back Carlos Correa, Paredes was a regular starter and posted a strong .254/.352/.458/.809 slash line with 15 doubles, 20 homers, and 53 RBI in 102 games.
Overall, Paredes appears to be a clear upgrade over Bohm and is under team control through next season. If the Phillies are thinking ahead, they should already be preparing an offer for Houston.
