The Houston Astros found a new first baseman in free agency, agreeing to a three-year, $60 million contract with three-time Gold Glove winner Christian Walker, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the signing wasn’t yet official.
Walker, 33, won the award as the National League’s best defensive first baseman each of the past three seasons for the Arizona Diamondbacks – averaging 32 home runs and 94 RBI.
Houston reached the postseason for an eighth season in a row in 2024 but the team’s first basemen managed a mere .651 OPS, fourth-worst in the majors. Former MVP Jose Abreu began the season as the starter but performed so poorly that the club ate about $30 million by releasing him halfway through a three-year deal. Jon Singleton wound up seeing most of the time at first, playing in a career-high 119 games.
With a hole at one corner filled, the Astros can now focus their attention across the diamond, still trying to bring back free agent Alex Bregman to play third base. Houston has also explored trades to upgrade at the hot corner, working on a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals for Nolan Arenado, only to have the 10-time Gold Glover use his no-trade clause to reject a move.
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Christian Walker Yankees rumors had swirled
The New York Yankees had been interested in Walker to fill their own vacancy at first base, but will now have to explore other options including free agents Paul Goldschmidt and Carlos Santana – and perhaps Pete Alonso.
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