Gold Glove first baseman Christian Walker has reached a three-year, $60 million agreement with the Houston Astros, according to a source familiar with the deal.
The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the contract is contingent on a successful physical.
Houston had traded for infielder Isaac Paredes from the Cubs last weekend in a deal that sent outfielder Kyle Tucker to Chicago. With Walker’s signing, it appears the Astros plan to have Paredes start at third base, signaling that they do not intend to re-sign third baseman Alex Bregman.
Walker, who will turn 34 during the first week of the upcoming season, posted a .251 batting average with 26 home runs, 84 RBIs, 55 walks, and 133 strikeouts in 2024. That marked a decline from his 2023 performance, when he hit .258 with 33 home runs and 103 RBIs while helping the Diamondbacks reach the World Series.
After not securing a full-time major league role until 2019, Walker has provided consistent power over the past six seasons and has established himself as one of the top defensive first basemen, earning Gold Gloves in each of the last three years.
Christian Walker, who played college baseball at South Carolina, was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2012. He made his MLB debut with the Orioles in 2014 but struggled to secure a permanent spot in the majors. Afterward, he was claimed off waivers by Atlanta, Cincinnati, and Arizona in a span of just five weeks.
“He’s a phenomenal player,” said Mike Hazen, the general manager of the Diamondbacks. “He’s the best defensive first baseman in baseball. He’s a self-made player in many ways, and I respect that immensely. What that gave our clubhouse was a leadership example that was truly elite.”
Walker earned $10.9 million last season and declined a $21.05 million qualifying offer from the Diamondbacks.
As a result of signing Walker, the Houston Astros will forfeit their second- and fifth-highest selections in the 2025 amateur draft.
