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The Houston Astros and free agent infielder Christian Walker agreed to terms on Friday afternoon, effectively giving the fanbase an early Christmas present. Though the deal likely spells the end of Alex Bregman's time in Houston, it allows the Astros to turn the page and focus on next season with Walker manning first base and Isaac Paredes now entrenched at the hot corner.
Walker inked a three-year, $60 million deal that will keep him in Space City through the 2027 season. The three-year pact for a first baseman on the wrong side of 30 likely gives Astros fans flashbacks to the hapless free agent deal with Jose Abreu from 2022, but Houston could not afford to go into next season with a void at first base.
Abreu was cut loose last summer after staying below the Mendoza line all season. And though Houston released the former AL MVP, they're still on the hook for the remainder of his salary. Given Walker's $20 million AAV, the Astros are basically paying $40 million for a first baseman in 2025. Ouch!
Christian Walker contract details revealed as Astros pay price in more ways than one
But Walker's deal with the Astros is about more than just salary. While $20 million per season is nothing to sneeze at, the fact that Walker's free agent deal came with strings attached won't help the Astros in next year's draft or on the international free agent market.
The Arizona Diamondbacks extended a qualifying offer to Walker after the season was over, effectively attaching draft compensation to his signing. With the Astros being a Competitive Balance Tax payor this past season, Houston will be required to forfeit both their second and fifth-highest selections in the 2025 MLB Draft.
Furthermore, the 'Stros will lose $1 million international bonus pool money for the 2025 signing period. If Houston were to sign another player who rejected a qualifying offer, they'd also lose their third and sixth-highest draft picks as well.
Another domino in this Christian Walker signing: Since the deal came in north of $50m, the Arizona Diamondbacks have secured an extra draft pick immediately
— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) December 20, 2024
Following the 1st round. It is expected to eventually land as the No. 32 pick in the Draft.
This signing will cost the…
On the plus side, once Bregman signs with his new team, the Astros will essentially get one of those draft picks back. According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Houston will receive a compensatory draft pick after Round 4. But that's a slim plus.
Deals like this hurt the Astros' ability to rebuild their struggling farm system, but Houston now has an elite defensive first baseman holding down the fort for the next three seasons. Astros fans are hoping that Walker's production is worth the steep cost.