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.
The Houston Astros have already dealt with their fair share of injuries in 2025, particularly among their starting pitching staff.
Spencer Arrighetti is currently sidelined with a fractured thumb, and Hayden Wesneski is out for the season, needing Tommy John surgery.
The Astros were hoping to receive good news when they asked for a second opinion on Ronel Blanco's elbow injury.
RHP Ronel Blanco will undergo right elbow surgery next week, which will sideline him for the remainder of the 2025 season.
— Julia Morales (@JuliaMorales) May 28, 2025
Unfortunately for Blanco, it appears that the second opinion confirmed a similar diagnosis to the first one.
The Astros have revealed that Blanco will be out for the season, requiring Tommy John surgery. Add Blanco to the list with Cristian Javier, Luis Garcia, and Wesneski, who are working their way back from season-ending elbow surgery.
JP France is also trying to recover from shoulder surgery that he had last season. Tough luck for Houston, having three-fifths of the starting rotation unavailable before getting out of May.
At least Arrighetti is expected to return, possibly in July. He began playing catch on Tuesday, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.
Astros did get some good news: Spencer Arrighetti began playing catch yesterday.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) May 28, 2025
And GM Dana Brown told the Astros flagship on Wednesday that the club hopes to get Garcia back in July or August. Brown also gave an update on Yordan Alvarez. They're basically waiting on Yordan to let them know when he's ready.
Arms race
For the time being, it appears the team will roll with Ryan Gusto, Colton Gordon, and whomever else they can call up from Sugar Land to fill the fourth and fifth starter roles. The trade market is always an option too.
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