Christian Walker, a 33-year-old first baseman renowned for his power hitting and defensive prowess, has agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract with the Houston Astros. Over the past three seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Walker has hit 95 home runs and secured three consecutive National League Gold Glove Awards.
In the 2024 season, Walker maintained his impressive performance, recording 26 home runs, 84 RBIs, and an .803 OPS over 130 games. His career statistics include 147 home runs and 443 RBIs, with a .793 OPS across 10 major league seasons.
Walker expressed enthusiasm about joining the Astros, highlighting the team’s consistent playoff appearances and the hitter-friendly dimensions of their home park. He stated, “There’s a lot that Christian Walker likes about Houston… Everything we were looking for.”
This acquisition addresses a key need for the Astros at first base, following the release of José Abreu in June. Abreu, who had signed a three-year contract with Houston, was released after a disappointing performance but is still owed $19.5 million for the 2025 season.
Walker’s addition is expected to bolster the Astros’ lineup, providing both offensive power and defensive stability as they aim to continue their success in the upcoming season.
For more insights into this signing, you can watch the following analysis: