Report: Astros land Walker on 3-year, $60M deal
The Houston Astros and first baseman Christian Walker agreed to a contract, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
The deal is worth $60 million over three years, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports.
The addition of Walker comes after St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado reportedly used his no-trade clause to block a move to the Astros.
Houston will now use Walker at first and newcomer Isaac Paredes at third after the latter came over in the Kyle Tucker trade with the Chicago Cubs. The reported pact likely signals the end of Alex Bregman's nine-year tenure with the Astros, as the two-time All-Star is still looking for a new contract in free agency.
Walker hit 26 home runs with 84 RBIs and an .803 OPS over 130 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season. He also recorded 30-plus homers in back-to-back years in 2022-23 and has won three consecutive Gold Gloves.
The 33-year-old declined a qualifying offer from the D-Backs, which means the Astros will lose their second- and fifth-highest selections in the 2025 MLB Draft and $1 million from their international-spending pool.
Meanwhile, Arizona will get a compensation pick after the first round.
The New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners were reportedly also interested in signing Walker this offseason.