The offseason for the Arizona Diamondbacks has been relatively quiet after missing the playoffs, but a starting infielder is reportedly heading elsewhere.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Per Chandler Rome of The Athletic, free agent Christian Walker is nearing a deal to join the Houston Astros and will end his eight-year tenure with the D-backs.
“Christian Walker is in agreement on a contract with the Astros, which is pending a physical,” Rome said on X/Twitter. “Three years and $60 million, source tells The Athletic, confirming Bob Nightengale.”
Christian Walker is in agreement on a contract with the Astros, which is pending a physical. Three years and $60 million, source tells @TheAthletic, confirming @BNightengale
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) December 20, 2024
Before the deal was close to being agreed to by both the player and the Astros, Nightengale, a USA Today reporter, revealed that the New York Yankees were a potential suitor interested in signing Walker.
“The Yankees were interested in Walker too but didn’t want to lose a draft pick in compensation,” Nightengale said. “They still are focused on Paul Goldschmidt and Carlos Santana.”
The Yankees were interested in Walker too but didn’t want to lose a draft pick in compensation. They still are focused on Paul Goldschmidt and Carlos Santana.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 20, 2024
Winning a Gold Glove in each of the past three seasons, Walker has been a franchise staple for Arizona since he arrived in the Valley in 2017.
Walker was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2012, played two seasons (2014-15) with them, was designated for assignment and was picked up by the Cincinnati Reds off waivers on March 6, 2017. After the Reds waived him not even a month later, the Diamondbacks claimed him and the rest is history.
An everyday player for the majority of the past three years, the 33-year-old played 819 total games for Arizona, batting .251 with a .795 OPS, 146 home runs and 442 RBIs. He was in the MVP running in 2023.
Christian Walker © Owen Ziliak/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Walker declined a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer made by the Diamondbacks at the beginning of this offseason, raising concerns that his time in the Valley was coming to a close. Last season, he appeared in 130 of 162 games with a .251 average, .803 OPS, 26 homers and 84 RBIs.
As a result of this departure, the D-backs will receive a compensation draft pick following the first round and before the Competitive Balance Round A of the 2025 MLB Draft. On the other hand, Houston is forced to concede both a second-round pick, a fifth-round pick and lose $1 million from its international bonus pool.
Helping the Diamondbacks reach the 2023 World Series, he set career highs in RBIs (103), slugging percentage (.497) and total bases (289). Walker hit .286, had a .729 OPS and two doubles in the World Series against the Texas Rangers.
Who replaces Walker?
Sep 8, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Pavin Smith (26) celebrates with center fielder Jake McCarthy (31) and first baseman Josh Bell (36) after hitting a home run during the third inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Now that Walker will become an Astro, the Diamondbacks will have to find a solution to find an adequate replacement. Pavin Smith is the only first baseman on the current roster under contract.
Josh Bell, who was traded to the D-backs last season, is currently a free agent but could opt to re-sign with the team if they mutually have interest. The Texas native played in 41 games with a .279 batting average, five home runs and 22 RBIs since he was dealt to Arizona by the Miami Marlins in July.
An interesting idea that would bring back nostalgia could be that Arizona brings back Goldschmidt. Like Walker, Goldschmidt was with the Diamondbacks for eight seasons (2011-2018) and was a three-time Gold Glove winner with the team. A four-time Silver Slugger recipient and six-time All-Star when he was D-back, Goldschmidt was a .297 hitter with 209 homers, 1,182 hits, 710 RBIs and a .930 OPS.
Whatever the case may be, seeing Walker leave in free agency is a major loss for the Diamondbacks, as it will be hard to replace his impact both at the plate and defensively.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Suns, ASU Athletics and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
