Astros Eye Michael Conforto in Trade Talks

The Houston Astros are poking around the market for a left-handed outfielder this winter. Free agent Michael Conforto has popped up as a main target lately.

At the same time, Houston’s idea to trade third baseman Isaac Paredes has cooled off. That move would’ve been one way to get a lefty bat, but it’s looking less likely now.

This piece takes a look at Conforto as a possible low-cost or one-year addition. It also glances at the impact of a stalled Paredes deal and how Houston’s outfield picture could shake out by 2026.

Houston’s Plan to Add a Left-Handed Outfielder

Houston needs more balance in its lineup, especially since Yordan Alvarez is really their only established lefty bat. The team’s been nudging Alvarez toward more DH time, too.

The Astros have been patient with a handful of younger outfielders. Guys like Zach Cole, Joey Loperfido, Cam Smith, and Brice Matthews—nobody’s quite sure what their ceiling is at the big-league level.

With that in mind, the front office is eyeing a familiar, budget-friendly approach: grab a targeted free agent who can either platoon or nudge the roster toward better balance against lefties.

Conforto’s name keeps popping up because of his track record, recent numbers, and the chance he could come pretty cheap. Houston’s real question is whether a short, low-cost deal gives them value without tying their hands later. They have to decide if Conforto’s upside, even after a rough year, matches what the outfield needs now—and what they might unlock with a good spring training.

Conforto in the Crosshairs: Why He Appeals

Michael Conforto has always been a patient, productive hitter—when he’s healthy. In 2025 with the Dodgers, though, he had a brutal season, hitting just .199/.305/.333 over 486 plate appearances.

That came after a shoulder injury wiped out his entire 2022. From 2023–25, he’s hit .225/.316/.390 in 1,444 plate appearances. The numbers aren’t pretty, but he still draws walks (about 10.5% of plate appearances) and has flashed some ability against lefties, even if those samples are tiny.

Houston might take a flier on Conforto because he’s a veteran, he’s got left-handed pop, and a one-year deal wouldn’t tie up the payroll for long. If he can rediscover his plate discipline, make better swing decisions, and stay healthy, the Astros could use him as a corner outfielder or in a platoon that lets Alvarez rest his legs and DH more often.

What Could Conforto Cost and How It Fits Houston

Market reality says Conforto probably lands a low-cost one-year deal or even a minor-league invite to spring training. His 2025 season cooled off most of the buzz, and nobody’s eager to hand out a multi-year deal to a rebound candidate right now.

For Houston, a short-term commitment makes sense. It keeps payroll flexible while adding a lefty bat behind Alvarez.

• Low-risk contract with incentives for hitting milestones or playing time
• Outfield flexibility—mix and match with Meyers in center and a rotating cast in right
• A real look in spring training to see if Conforto can actually claim a regular spot

Trade Horizon and the Paredes Dilemma

The Astros had kicked around trading Isaac Paredes, who’s owed $40 million over the next two years. His starting role shrank after Carlos Correa came back.

That trade would’ve given Houston a veteran corner option with a smaller payroll hit than a free agent signing. But questions about value and fit have pretty much shut the window.

With Paredes still around as a possible trade chip, the Astros are debating if grabbing a veteran outfielder is worth the risk. Especially if it means giving up assets for a guy who might not produce right away.

The pace of the market and how Conforto—or someone like him—fits could decide whether Houston’s outfield gets a new face now, or if they wait and pivot at the trade deadline in 2026.

Bringing It All Together: The 2026 Outfield Blueprint

Houston’s outfield is still a work in progress. Yordan Alvarez stands out as the lone left-handed cornerstone.

The rest of the group still needs to prove they can handle a full season of meaningful big-league at-bats. The club probably wants to strike a balance between cost certainty and upside.

They might lean on a short-term deal with Conforto or another veteran to bridge the gap while the system develops its internal options. That approach just seems practical, given where things stand now.

Whether Conforto actually fits that blueprint is anyone’s guess. The team’s focus on early spring clarity should become obvious soon as the market shifts.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Astros Showing Interest In Michael Conforto