Astros: Will Josh Hader be late to the party and the Red Sox are out on Paredes

Spring Training is here, and the Astros rumor mill is heating up!

In today’s episode of Locked On Astros, we break down the latest on Josh Hader’s throwing progression, whether there’s any real concern about a delayed start, and what it could mean for Houston’s bullpen as pitchers and catchers report.
We also dive deep into the Astros’ ongoing trade conversations, including renewed talks involving Isaac Paredes, why the Red Sox may be out, how the Pirates still fit into the picture, and why Brendan Donovan has been on Houston’s radar since last summer as a potential lineup-balancing left-handed bat.
Finally, we tackle the backup catcher question—is Joey Bart the answer via trade, or do internal options like Cesar Salazar or Carlos Pérez make more sense? We compare the stats, defensive value, and upside to see who could realistically back up Yainer Díaz in 2026.
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⚾ Trades, rumors, spring training updates & analysis
💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments—who should close early if Hader isn’t ready, and who do you want as the backup catcher?

Locked On Astros is your daily Houston Astros podcast, hosted by Eric Huysman and Brett Chancey. As part of the Locked On Podcast Network, we bring you the latest Astros news, in-depth game analysis, player updates, and exclusive insights — every single weekday.
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