Astros Land Gold Glove Slugger From Arizona Diamondbacks
“To come to the ballpark every day where there’s a standard and you know what to expect from the fans, teammates, and staff—it’s everything we were looking for,” Walker said Monday after donning his No. 13 Astros jersey. “It checked a lot of boxes.”
Walker, 33, signed a three-year, $60 million deal with Houston, according to MLB.com. Over the past three seasons, Walker has quietly become one of MLB’s top first basemen, combining offensive firepower with elite defense. He’s won three straight National League Gold Gloves and ranks fifth among primary first basemen in WAR (11.4) since 2022, delivering 95 homers, 281 RBIs, and an .813 OPS across 1,880 plate appearances. His defense is unmatched, leading the position with 38 Outs Above Average during that span.
Astros GM Dana Brown praised the signing: “Getting a guy like Christian takes our team to another level. His defense is something we’ve been missing at first base, and now we’ve got one of the best.”
Walker’s offensive numbers were slightly hampered in 2024 due to a left oblique strain that sidelined him for over a month. Still, he hit 26 homers with 84 RBIs in 130 games for the Diamondbacks and was just shy of his third straight 30-homer season. Despite his all-fields hitting approach, he’s eager to take advantage of the Crawford Boxes, only 315 feet from home plate.
“I don’t plan to change who I am at the plate, but I’m definitely excited about the short porch,” Walker admitted. “Playing at Chase Field was challenging—it’s a big park. This place has its challenges too, but the atmosphere here as a visiting player has always been fun.”
Walker’s signing is part of Houston’s significant roster reshuffle. The Astros traded All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs on Dec. 13, acquiring third baseman Isaac Paredes and other prospects. Additionally, the departure of two-time World Series champion Alex Bregman clears room for Paredes at third base, while Walker takes over first base.
This move addresses a key weakness for Houston, which has struggled at first base in recent years. José Abreu, signed to a three-year deal in 2022, was released mid-2024 after a disastrous stretch with a .362 OPS and just two homers in 35 games. With Walker now in the fold, the Astros hope to solidify their infield and maintain their championship-caliber expectations.