Christian Walker, known for his outstanding defensive skills at first base, has reached an agreement with the Houston Astros on a three-year contract worth $60 million, according to a source familiar with the situation.
The source, who wished to remain anonymous due to the pending physical examination required for the agreement to be finalized, highlighted the importance of the negotiation.
The Astros recently traded for infielder Isaac Paredes from the Chicago Cubs, dealing outfielder Kyle Tucker in the process.
This move suggests that the team intends to start Paredes at third base and may not pursue a new contract for third baseman Alex Bregman.
Walker, who will celebrate his 34th birthday during the opening week of the upcoming season, had a batting average of .251 in 2023, hitting 26 home runs and driving in 84 runs, alongside 55 walks and 133 strikeouts.
This performance was a dip from his 2022 season, where he achieved a .258 batting average with 33 home runs and 103 RBIs while helping the Diamondbacks secure a spot in the World Series.
In total, Walker participated in 130 games this past year, a decrease from the 157 games he played in 2022 and the 160 in the previous season.
He faced a setback earlier in the season due to a left oblique strain, which kept him on the sidelines from late July to early September.
Walker’s journey to becoming a consistent player in Major League Baseball began in earnest in 2019 after working his way up.
Over the last six seasons, he has demonstrated considerable power at the plate and has established himself as an elite defensive first baseman, winning Gold Glove awards for the last three consecutive years.
He began his college baseball career at the University of South Carolina and was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2012.
Walker made his MLB debut in 2014; however, he struggled to maintain a spot on the roster and was subsequently claimed off waivers by several teams, including the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and Arizona Diamondbacks, within a short span.
“Christian is an exceptional player,” noted Mike Hazen, the general manager of the Diamondbacks.
“He is the finest defensive first baseman in baseball. His journey is remarkable, and I have immense respect for the player he has become. He has been a leading example in the clubhouse.”
Last season, Walker earned a salary of $10.9 million and opted not to accept a qualifying offer from Arizona valued at $21.05 million.
As part of the agreement for Walker, the Houston Astros will forfeit their second- and fifth-highest picks in the 2025 amateur draft.
