The Astros have a new first baseman. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images.
After losing out on Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (no-trade clause), it appears the Astros have pivoted to another infielder.
According to multiple reports, the Astros are close to finalizing a deal with former Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker.
The Astros and free-agent first baseman Christian Walker are in serious talks and progressing toward a deal, sources tell @Ken_Rosenthal and me.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) December 20, 2024
While several reports are indicating that a deal is close, Jim Bowden is reporting that the deal is done pending a physical.
Christian Walker deal is done with #Astros pending physical
— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM) December 20, 2024
Bob Nightengale is reporting that it's a three-year, $60 million contract.
Christian Walker has agreed to a 3-year, $60 million contract with the Houston Astros.@Ken_Rosenthal said close.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 20, 2024
Another thing to keep in mind is that the Astros will have to surrender two draft picks because Walker turned down a qualifying offer from Arizona.
Christian Walker declined a qualifying offer from the DBacks, so if a deal with the Astros gets done, Houston will lose its second and fifth-highest selections in the 2025 draft. However, if/when Alex Bregman signs elsewhere, the Astros will get a comp pick after the fourth round
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) December 20, 2024
So what are the Astros getting with Walker? Walker has now won the Gold Glove for three straight seasons and provides a power bat that should greatly benefit from the Crawford Boxes.
Walker (age 33) hit 26 dingers last season while posting a .251 batting average and a .803 OPS. He also hit over 30 home runs in both 2022 and 2023.
Hunter Brown pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning, and the Houston Astros beat the slumping Cincinnati Reds 3-0 on Friday night.
Brown (6-1) struck out nine, matching his season high for the fourth straight start. The right-hander also issued a season-high four walks in his fifth consecutive win.
Brown departed after Gavin Lux walked with two out in the sixth. Kaleb Ort got Spencer Steer to bounce into a forceout at second.
Josh Hader handled the ninth for his ninth save.
Cincinnati finished with four hits in its sixth loss in seven games.
Reds right-hander Nick Martinez (1-4) surrendered 10 hits and three runs in six innings. He struck out five and walked none.
Zach Dezenzo hit a two-out RBI single in the second, and the Astros added two more runs in the fifth.
Mauricio Dubón followed Brendan Rodgers’ leadoff double with a chopper past third baseman Santiago Espinal, moving Rodgers to third. Jeremy Peña drove in Rodgers with a groundout to second, and Isaac Paredes doubled home Dubón with two down.
Jose Altuve, Christian Walker, and Yainer Diaz each had two hits for the Astros.
Cincinnati's Austin Hays returned from the injured list after missing 10 games with a left hamstring strain. He went 1 for 4.
Reds outfielder Jake Fraley was scratched due to left calf tenderness after missing the last two games.
Key moment
Tyler Stephenson hit a one-out double for Cincinnati in the ninth. But Hader struck out Rece Hinds and Espinal, ending the game.
Key stat
It was Houston's first win against the Reds since June 19, 2016, ending a nine-game skid.
Up next
Lance McCullers Jr. (0-0 0.00 ERA) will make his second start of the season and first home start since October 3, 2022, against Reds right-hander Brady Singer (4-2 3.66 ERA) on Saturday night.
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