Astros likely won’t help Yankees, but a trade between the two for 30-plus home run slugger would make New York favorites in AL

Astros likely won’t help Yankees, but a trade between the two for 30-plus home run slugger would make New York favorites in AL originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Just a few years ago, the Houston Astros were quite literally running Major League Baseball. Whether any New York Yankees fan wants to admit that, or wants to give them credit for it, is one thing, but that's just the reality of how good the Astros were.

Fast forward to 2026, and the Astros have been one of the worst teams in baseball, perhaps the worst in the American League, at 9-16. Only one team in the American League has a worse record than them, and that's the Kansas City Royals.

Some have questioned what the Astros might do at the trade deadline, and from the sound of things, it's very possible that they could look to move on from some of their better players.

There have already been multiple players in trade discussions during the past few months, including third baseman Isaac Paredes.

When recently looking at a trade candidate for New York, Paredes was named an option.

“A logjam in the Houston Astros' infield has left Isaac Paredes as a trade candidate, dating back to the offseason. The Astros' American League West-worst 9-15 start to the season further stoked the fires regarding a potential trade, and if that slide continues, the Yankees would be wise to be all over that situation.

“With third baseman Ryan McMahon struggling to hit the ball, New York could use someone like Paredes, who averaged 22.5 home runs and 69 RBIs in the four previous seasons, slashing .239/.341/.442 with 228 walks taken during that stretch. His performance is down this year (two HRs and RBIs, slashing .221/.329/.368 in 68 at-bats), but that regressed effort could stem from the distractions that trade rumors can create,” Devon Platana of SI .