The Houston Astros have agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract with free agent first baseman Christian Walker, pending a physical exam. This move likely marks the end of Alex Bregman’s tenure in Houston.
Walker is widely regarded as one of the sport’s best defensive first basemen and will provide power to the middle of the Astros’ lineup. He boasts impressive stats, including .250/.332/.481 with 95 home runs and 281 RBIs over the past three seasons.
The signing comes after the Astros failed to secure Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals. Walker’s arrival will likely replace Isaac Paredes at third base, who was recently acquired in a trade involving Kyle Tucker.
The move also raises questions about Alex Bregman’s future with the team. Despite owner Jim Crane’s initial hesitation to meet Scott Boras’ $200 million asking price, the Astros pivoted to Walker and now face a likely departure of their heart and soul player.
Bregman is a fan favorite, with Jose Altuve stating that the team won’t be the same without him. The signing signals a new chapter for the Astros, but the team still needs help in its outfield after parting with Tucker last year.
Potential destinations for Bregman include the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Detroit Tigers, who may offer more attractive options due to their financial situations.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43079614/sources-astros-christian-walker-reach-3-year-60m-deal