With the 2026 Trade Deadline quickly approaching on August 3, speculation is ramping up about who could be dealt elsewhere.
One team that has a lot of decisions to make at this upcoming deadline are the Houston Astros. The Astros have been one of the consistent forces in Major League Baseball for this past decade, but these past two seasons have not been as kind to them.
After missing the postseason last October, the Astros have started the 2026 season with a 34-41 record despite some incredible offensive production from their lineup. That lineup being led by designated hitter Yordan Álvarez, first baseman Christian Walker and shortstop Jeremy Peña.
All three of these men have cases to be traded by a faltering Astros team, but according to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Peña is at the top of that list.
The 28-year-old has been a standout star for Houston since his rookie year in 2022, a year he won both American League Championship Series MVP and World Series MVP.
While Peña is not having his best season in 2026, his talent is undeniable. He is a great five-tool player with excellent baserunning and batting run value.
Peña has a career slash line of .271/.321/.415, good for a .736 OPS, with 67 home runs, 260 RBIs, 633 hits and 69 stolen bases across 605 games.
He fully broke out in his 2025 campaign, where he posted an .840 OPS with 17 home runs, 62 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.
Jeff Passan listed a couple options for trade fits for Peña, but the Atlanta Braves sat at the top of that list.
Peña is a free agent following the 2027 season, so with two years of control, the Astros could get a great package for the shortstop.
Passan believes that Peña will be traded at some point, during the season or offseason, in order to replenish the Astros weak farm system.
The Braves would be the perfect fit for Peña because of their need of an All-Star shortstop. The production out of that position has been lackluster in Atlanta this season.
Mauricio Dubón and Jorge Mateo have spilt the reps at the position this season, and while Mateo has put up decent stats, with a .798 OPS, the Braves need a player for the future.
The Braves consistently have struggled to have a franchise shortstop since losing Dansby Swanson, and a call to Houston could be that fix for years to come.
