The Houston Astros have secured a new first baseman through free agency, coming to terms on a three-year, $60 million contract with Christian Walker, a three-time Gold Glove recipient, as reported by an anonymous source familiar with the agreement.

The source provided this information to YSL News Sports, speaking under the condition of anonymity since the signing has not yet been formally announced.

At 33 years old, Walker has claimed the National League’s best defensive first baseman title for the last three seasons while playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he averaged 32 home runs and 94 RBIs annually.

The Astros made the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season in 2024, but their first basemen posted a disappointing .651 OPS, ranking them fourth-worst in the league. Former MVP Jose Abreu started the season but struggled significantly, prompting the Astros to release him mid-way through a three-year contract, costing the team around $30 million. Jon Singleton ended up taking most of the first base duties, playing a career-high 119 games.

With first base now secured, the Astros will redirect their efforts toward retaining free agent Alex Bregman for third base. They’ve also been examining trade possibilities to enhance their talent at third, including failed talks with the St. Louis Cardinals about trading for Nolan Arenado, who exercised his no-trade clause to stay put.

Rumors about Christian Walker and the Yankees

The New York Yankees had shown interest in Walker to fill their own first base vacancy, but will need to seek alternative options now, which may include free agents like Paul Goldschmidt and Carlos Santana, as well as Pete Alonso.