The Houston Astros have reportedly solved their dilemma at first base by signing slugging first baseman Christian Walker to a three-year, $60 million contract.

Walker, 34 in March, has been a wishlist item for the Astros dating back to the trade deadline when they failed to acquire him from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Walker delivered a .251/.335/.468 slash with 26 home runs and 84 RBI in 130 for the Snakes in 2024, ultimately rejecting the $21.05 million qualifying offer. As a result of the deal, the Astros surrender their second- and fifth-highest picks in the 2025 draft, as well as $1 million of space from their league-allotted bonus pool for international amateur free agency.

Originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles out the fourth round in 2012, Walker debuted in 2014 where he played to lackluster results in just 13 games between two seasons in Baltimore. During spring training in 2017 he entered a carousal of waiver claims, first by the Atlanta Braves and then the Cincinnati Reds before landing with the Arizona Diamondbacks at the end of spring training. In limited playing time during the 2017 and 2018 seasons, Walker finally had a chance to break out and establish himself after the Diamondbacks traded Paul Goldschmidt to the St. Louis Cardinals following the 2018 season.

Walker played in 152 games for Arizona in 2019, posting a 2.8 rWAR after batting .259/.348/.476 with 29 home runs, 73 RBI and 111 wRC+. Walker slumped a bit over the next two seasons batting .254/.321/.409  with 17 home runs in 172 games, but 2022 saw him return to form and begin a three-year run as one of the premier first basemen in the league.

He posted a career-high 5.0 rWAR with 36 home runs in 160 games during the 2022 season followed by 33 home runs and 103 RBI for a 3.8 rWAR season in 2023. From 2022-24, Walker slashed .250/.332/.481 with 95 home runs, worth 11.4 rWAR, and a 123 OPS+.

The Astros are hoping Walker can be the solution since their three-year deal with Jose Abreu immediately backfired on them. Houston’s first basemen, led by Abreu and Jon Singleton, delivered a less-than-ideal .226/.291/.360 batting line on the season in 2024. Walker’s batting production has proven consistent since 2019, and he produces a league-average strikeout rate and a slightly above-average walk rate. His power should provide a boon to the heart of Houston’s lineup, especially considering the short porch prospect in left field.

Defensively, Walker has grown into one of the best in the league. He has won the Gold Glove in the National League three years in row since 2022, including 17 DRS that season. In 2024 he was worth 13 Outs Above Average and 10 Fielding Run Value with a strong 14.3 Ultimate Zone Rating. Since 2022h he leads all first basemen in Defensive Runs Saved (33) and Outs Above Average (39)

Walker’s signing likely signals an unlikely reunion with Alex Bregman. The Astros recently traded outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs for Isaac Paredes and 2024 draft pick Cam Smith, with Paredes likely to handle the hot corner now. The Astros reportedly had a deal in place to acquire Nolan Arenado from teh Cardinals but Arenado nixed the deal for the time being. With the addition of Walker the Astros have now added two right-handed sluggers to the lineup to pair with second baseman Jose Altuve and left-handed slugger Yordan Alvarez.