The Houston Astros and free agent first baseman Christian Walker have reached a three-year, $60 million agreement, sources confirmed to ESPN on Friday following several reports.
The deal is still subject to a physical examination, according to a source.
With Walker now set to play first base for the next three seasons, it likely signals the end of Alex Bregman’s time in Houston, as well as the conclusion of the Astros’ unsuccessful pursuit of Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals. As a result, Isaac Paredes, the 25-year-old corner infielder recently acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade, is expected to take over at third base, replacing Bregman.
Christian Walker, who will turn 34 on March 28, is widely regarded as one of the top defensive first basemen in the league and will add some power to the middle of the Astros’ lineup. Over the past three seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, he posted a .250/.332/.481 slash line, hitting 95 home runs and driving in 281 RBIs, while accumulating 10.8 FanGraphs wins above replacement, the sixth-most among first basemen.
First base had been a challenge for Houston over the past few years, a problem that the high-priced Jose Abreu could not resolve. Last season, Astros first basemen combined for a .651 OPS, the fifth-lowest in the majors. Walker, a three-time Gold Glove winner, will significantly improve the position, especially as a right-handed hitter in Daikin Park, with its short left-field fence.
The Astros still need to address their outfield after parting with Kyle Tucker one year before he hits free agency. Additionally, Alex Bregman, a key figure in Houston’s success—including two championships and seven straight ALCS appearances—now faces the prospect of moving on to a new team.
The New York Yankees, who showed interest in Walker during the offseason, could be a possible destination for Bregman, along with the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, or Detroit Tigers, the latter managed by AJ Hinch, Bregman’s former manager.
Astros general manager Dana Brown expressed hope of retaining Bregman throughout the offseason, but owner Jim Crane was unwilling to meet the $200 million-plus asking price from Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras. This led to an initial focus on trading for Nolan Arenado—before Arenado used his no-trade clause to remain with the St. Louis Cardinals—and ultimately to the agreement with Walker.
Walker turned down a qualifying offer from the Diamondbacks in November. By signing him, the Astros, who surpassed the luxury tax threshold last season, will forfeit their second- and fifth-round draft picks and $1 million from their international signing pool. However, they will receive a fourth-round pick when Bregman signs with another team, which now seems almost certain.
Following the Astros’ loss to the Tigers in the wild-card round this fall, longtime second baseman Jose Altuve emphasized how crucial Bregman is to the organization, stating, “We’re not going to be the same organization without him.”
In many ways, Walker’s signing marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Astros.
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