The Houston Astros have reportedly been very aggressive in re-signing third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency. Bregman has been seen as the team’s top priority for the last few weeks, but Houston may be waving the white flag in those sweepstakes.

On Friday, the Astros traded outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs for a trade package centered around third baseman Isaac Paredes. Paredes seems like the ideal replacement in Houston for Bregman.

But what if the Astros have an even better plan?

Chandler Rome of The Athletic recently reported the Astros are serious suitors in a potential trade for $52 million St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado.

“In perhaps the clearest sign the organization is moving on from Alex Bregman, the Houston Astros have emerged as a serious suitor for St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, multiple league sources told The Athletic on Saturday,” Rome wrote.

“No deal is believed to be imminent, but conversations between the Cardinals and Astros have increased since this week’s Winter Meetings in Dallas, during which Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak acknowledged he “intends to try” moving Arenado.”

While the Astros could play Paredes at third base and use him as the Bregman replacement, acquiring Arenado would be even better. This allows Paredes to slide over to first base, where the Astros also have a big hole to fill, while Arenado slots in as Bregman’s replacement.

Arenado would be a huge upgrade on defense from Paredes and Bregman while Paredes would be a massive upgrade at first base.

The Cardinals are desperately trying to move the veteran third baseman, so a trade would likely come quite easily.

There may be more aggressive teams in the sweepstakes, but the Astros are certainly a team to follow.