Free agent first baseman Christian Walker and the Houston Astros have come to terms on a three-year, $60 million deal, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
FanSided’s Robert Murray was the first to report that negotiations between the two sides were serious, while The Athletic’s Jim Bowden detailed that the contract was agreed to and pending a physical.
The 33-year-old was one of the top options available at the position this offseason after hitting .251/.335/.468 with 26 home runs, 84 RBIs and a 119 wRC+ across 130 games in 2024 for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Walker has also taken home the NL Gold Glove Award three years in a row while accumulating 10.8 fWAR over that stretch.
The move will likely result in long-time Astro Alex Bregman heading elsewhere on the open market. Houston acquired third baseman Isaac Paredes as part of a package from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Kyle Tucker, and there’s no real spot for Bregman remaining on the roster.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the “pipes are frozen” regarding the first base market on Thursday, though Walker’s deal with Houston could potentially accelerate things. Pete Alonso has now become somewhat of the clear-cut No. 1 choice among the available first baseman, and it remains to be seen if the Mets can find a way to bring him back to Queens.
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