On Friday, the Astros reportedly agreed to terms with Christian Walker, a free agent first baseman from the Diamondbacks, for three years, $60 million. The deal helps plug a glaring hole and first base and helps staunch the bleeding from the loss of Kyle Tucker and the likely imminent departure of Alex Bregman.
After getting Isaac Paredes in the Tucker deal to play third (or first, if Bregman re-signed), Walker now completes their infield with Jose Altuve at second and Jeremy Peña at first. Here are some thoughts.
This fits Jim Crane’s approach to contracts.
Whatever money fans may want to throw at players, Astros owner Jim Crane has a pretty clear philosophy that giving players contracts longer than six years is a mistake. Getting Walker for just three years works with the idea that the team needs to build from within, try to keep players under contract as best as possible, but not be stuck with long term deals that have the potential to be albatross salaries at the end of the contracts. Crane is a billionaire, but he doesn’t have the ability the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees and Red Sox do to just throw around massive contracts. It’s the reason Tucker is now in Chicago. There may only be three or four ultra-high payroll teams in baseball. The Astros are not one of them.
This is NOT another Bryan Abreu deal.
As much as the comparison in terms of dollars, years and position may feel like what the Astros did when they signed Abreu, Walker is not that guy. First off, he is a Gold Glove first baseman. Abreu was passable at first, but he was no defensive wizard like Walker. Additionally, Walker is not only three years younger than Abreu, there has been zero decline in his play and metrics over the last three seasons. His power numbers, exit velocity and every other valuable stat that Abreu didn’t have, Walker has in spades.
This means the Astros still have holes in the outfield.
With the infield set, the Astros must now turn their attention to the outfield unless you are comfortable with a regular lineup of Mauricio Dubon, Jake Meyers and Chas McCormick. We aren’t either. It’s unlikely the team will go after another big dollar free agent, but trades are possible. The Astros have been trying to move Ryan Pressly and could dangle a prospect or two. Cam Smith could be an option, but probably not until 2026. That would leave players like Pedro Leon, Jacob Melton or Zach Dezenzo as potential fillers in the outfield, but no one with a proven track record. They need a veteran.
This move, along with the Tucker trade, is as much about 2026 and 2025.
Yes, the Astros want to remain competitive this coming season. All indications are they will given the roster they are assembling and the return of a couple pitchers from injury. But, when you consider the ONLY Astros free agent of note in 2026 is Framber Valdez, some of what they are doing makes a lot of sense. Paredes is under contract as is Walker. Smith will have another year in the minors to develop as will outfielder Luis Baez and a few other prospects moving their way through the system. They will also shed a bunch of salary from Pressly, Kendall Graveman, Rafael Montero and Abreu. Everyone is mostly focused on 2025 and rightfully so, but this does provide some significant flexibility after this season.
This is the end of Alex Bregman as an Astro.
Sad but it is the reality. Bregman and his people have indicated they want a deal near or above $200 million. That will likely mean a contract of six or seven years, something they Astros simply cannot afford. Bregman will join the growing list of former players who were the core of this team’s golden era including George Springer, Carlos Correa and Tucker, all of whom are now in new locations.
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2024.
