The Houston Astros made a big move to try to fix first base last season but it sounds like it could be short-lived.
First base was a tough position for the organization, which led to the team giving Christian Walker a three-year, $60 million deal last offseason. Walker had 27 homers and 88 RBIs in his first season in Houston, but his .717 OPS was his lowest since 2021.
Now, his future with the organization is at least up in the air. USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale listed a handful of players reportedly on the trade block and had Walker on his list. He also noted that Walker’s name came up around the trade deadline as well.
“Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker: Walker’s name came up in trade talks with the Minnesota Twins when they landed Carlos Correa, and they’ll gladly listen to all offers for him this winter trying to shed the remaining two years and $40 million in his contract,” Nightengale said.
With Carlos Correa back in town, there’s an argument that the Astros could find a trade partner for Walker and attempt to shift two-time All-Star Isaac Paredes to first base full-time. He has experience at the position and the Astros could save some cash by flipping Walker.
He’s a guy with 122 homers over the last four seasons. If the Astros actually make him available, there should be a market for a slugger like that, even coming off a somewhat down season.
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