The Houston Astros are off to a rough start in 2026. With a 16-25 record, they're sitting at the bottom of the AL West, just a game ahead of the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants for the worst record in baseball. When a team struggles this much, trade rumors start swirling—and the Astros have some tempting pieces to offer.

Names like Isaac Paredes, Bryan Abreu, Josh Hader, and Jeremy Peña could all be on the move if Houston decides to sell. But the biggest prize? That's Yordan Alvarez, one of the most feared hitters in the game.

So, what could the Astros get in return for their superstar slugger? According to one MLB executive speaking with USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the answer might be a "generational haul."

"If they traded him," the executive said, "I think they'd get a better package than what the Nationals got for Juan Soto."

That's a bold comparison. Back in 2022, the Washington Nationals sent Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres and received a massive return: James Wood, CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, Luke Voit, Jarlin Susana, and Robert Hassell III. That kind of trade set the Nationals up for long-term success, even as they lost one of the sport's brightest stars.

If the Astros could land a similar—or even better—haul for Alvarez, they'd be in a strong position to rebuild quickly. It's worth noting that Soto was younger and on a cheaper contract at the time of his trade compared to the $765 million deal he now has with the Mets. Alvarez, meanwhile, is arguably the better pure hitter and could be an instant game-changer for a contending team.

Of course, there's no guarantee any team will offer that kind of package. But if they do, Houston might just pull the trigger—and set themselves up for a bright future in the process.