The Houston Astros and free agent first baseman Christian Walker have agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN amid a number of experiences Friday.
The deal is pending a bodily examination, a supply advised ESPN.
The addition of Walker in all chance marks the top of Alex Bregman’s tenure in Houston, to not point out the Astros’ ill-fated makes an attempt to pry Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals. Walker manning first base for the following three years means Isaac Paredes, the 25-year-old nook infielder who was just lately acquired from the Chicago Cubs within the Kyle Tucker commerce, will in all probability be Bregman’s alternative at third base.
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Walker, who turns 34 on March 28, is extensively thought to be one of many sport’s finest defensive first basemen and also will present some energy to the center of the Astros’ lineup. He slashed .250/.332/.481 with 95 residence runs and 281 RBIs with the Arizona Diamondbacks over the previous three seasons whereas accumulating 10.8 FanGraphs wins above alternative, sixth-most amongst first basemen.
First base had been a conundrum in Houston over these previous three seasons, one the high-priced Jose Abreu couldn’t remedy. Astros first basemen mixed for a .651 OPS final season, fifth-lowest within the majors. Walker, a three-time Gold Glove Award winner, will present a significant increase at that place — significantly as a right-handed hitter in Daikin Park, which contains a quick left-field fence.
The Astros nonetheless want assist in their outfield after parting with Tucker one yr earlier than he is scheduled to develop into a free agent. And Bregman, the center and soul of a Houston franchise that gained two championships and made seven straight appearances within the American League Championship Collection relationship again to his first full season within the huge leagues, should select a brand new vacation spot.
The New York Yankees, who expressed curiosity in Walker this offseason, may very well be a touchdown spot for Bregman. So may the Boston Crimson Sox, Toronto Blue Jays or Detroit Tigers, the final of which is led by AJ Hinch, Bregman’s former supervisor.
Astros basic supervisor Dana Brown expressed optimism about bringing Bregman again all through the offseason, however proprietor Jim Crane wouldn’t meet the $200 million-plus asking worth of Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, prompting an preliminary pivot to Arenado — earlier than he used his no-trade clause to remain in St. Louis — and an settlement with Walker.
Walker declined the D-backs’ qualifying supply in November. By signing him, the Astros, a crew that exceeded the posh tax threshold final season, will surrender their second- and fifth-round picks within the upcoming draft, in addition to $1 million from their worldwide spending pool. Houston will get again a fourth-round decide as soon as Bregman indicators with one other crew, a improvement that now feels inevitable.
Within the aftermath of the Astros’ loss to the Tigers within the wild-card spherical earlier this fall, longtime Houston second baseman Jose Altuve spoke passionately concerning the significance of bringing Bregman again, saying: “We’re not going to be the identical group with out him.”
In some ways, the Walker signing alerts a brand new chapter.
