A proposed trade that would send shortstop Carlos Correa to the Boston Red Sox could give the Houston Astros a left-handed outfielder and two pitchers as they sort through an early postseason exit and front-office changes.
MLB analyst Patrick McAvoy of On SI outlined a deal in which Houston would acquire outfielder Jarren Duran, right-hander Tanner Houck and left-hander Eduardo Rivera. Boston would receive Correa.
The Astros finished 81-81 and were swept by the Chicago White Sox in the American League Wild Card Series. Their team ERA sat at 4.45, ranking 24th in the majors, and the rotation lacked reliable depth once injuries hit.
A left-handed bat in the outfield has been a recurring hole. Duran, who turns 30 this fall, fits the profile on paper even after a down year.
In 2024 he was the All-Star Game MVP and hit .285 with a .342 on-base percentage and .492 slugging percentage. He added 21 home runs, 75 RBIs, 48 doubles and 14 triples that season.
His 2026 line dropped to .207/.266/.361 with 20 home runs and 69 RBIs across 151 games. He still stole 21 bases but struck out 165 times and posted a .627 OPS.
A new setting and different instruction could restore some of the extra-base power and speed that made him one of the league’s more dynamic outfielders two years ago. He remains under club control for two more seasons.
Houck, an All-Star in 2024 when he went 9-10 with a 3.12 ERA, is working back from Tommy John surgery. He made a rehab appearance in September and is expected to be available for the 2027 season.
Rivera is listed as Boston’s No. 18 prospect and would add a young arm to a system that needs pitching help beyond next year.
“The Astros’ pitching was brutal in 2026. In this scenario, they would get a former All-Star who is now healthy in Houck, as well as an intriguing young hurler in Rivera. Plus, of course, Duran, who has two seasons of control,” McAvoy wrote.
Moving Correa would clear salary and open shortstop or designated-hitter at-bats. He appeared in only 32 games in 2026 because of an ankle injury, batting .279 with three home runs and 16 RBIs in that limited sample.
He has said his focus is returning fully healthy in 2027. His deal covers 2027 and 2028 at just over $20 million per season, followed by four vesting options.
“If the Astros blow it up, Correa is someone who has been a Boston killer and would be a very intriguing target,” McAvoy wrote.
Houston’s front office is already in transition. General manager Dana Brown parted ways with the club in late August, and owner Jim Crane has taken a larger role in baseball operations while the team decides on manager Joe Espada’s future.
The proposed package would not solve every issue, but it would address the left-handed outfield need and add two arms without requiring the Astros to part with their top prospects. Whether the new decision-makers pursue anything close to it remains open as the offseason begins.
