The Houston Astros unveiled their new-look infield on Monday, officially welcoming Gold Glove first baseman Christian Walker on a three-year, $60 million contract. But the marquee move came with an admission from the front office – negotiations to keep long-time third baseman Alex Bregman in Houston have hit a standstill.
“The way I view it right now is Paredes is going to play third base and Walker is going to play first base,” General Manager Dana Brown stated bluntly. “And Bregman’s still a free agent.”
The Astros’ acquisitions of Walker and infielder Isaac Paredes, who came over in a trade that sent outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs, almost certainly seal Bregman’s departure after nine seasons manning the hot corner in Houston. But Brown insisted the team made a sincere effort to retain the two-time All-Star.
I thought we made a really competitive offer, showing that we wanted him back. But we had to pursue other options. We couldn’t just sit there.
Dana Brown, Astros General Manager
Astros Shore Up Infield with Gold Glover Walker
Faced with the need to revamp an infield that struggled last season, particularly at first base after releasing the underperforming Jose Abreu, Houston locked in Walker early in free agency. The 33-year-old is coming off a season in which he hit .251 with 26 home runs and 84 RBIs while claiming his third straight Gold Glove.
Walker expressed excitement about joining the Astros, an organization he’s admired from afar. “I’ve been watching this team for a while now, and that edge, the energy, the expectation, you can tell that they’re going out there with a standard,” he remarked. “And I’m very excited to be a part of it.”
Bolstering a Championship Core
While the loss of franchise icons like George Springer, Carlos Correa, and now likely Bregman in recent years may dishearten some fans, Brown emphasized the team’s commitment to sustaining success. He pointed to the Astros’ moves this winter as evidence they remain focused on chasing more championships.
I would just tell the fans that look, we are very focused on remaining competitive. We’re very focused on winning the division and going back to the World Series, and I think with these additions that we have the ability to do that.
Dana Brown
Houston has reached the ALCS in six straight seasons and won World Series titles in 2017 and 2022. But after being swept out of the postseason by the Tigers last year, retooling the roster became an offseason priority.
A New Keystone Combination
For Walker, the chance to play alongside star second baseman Jose Altuve was a major draw. The slugging first baseman gushed about the opportunity to learn from the eight-time All-Star and former MVP.
I get a chance to learn from Jose Altuve. Nothing really gets better than that.
Christian Walker
Altuve and Bregman formed one of the most dynamic duos in baseball for nearly a decade. Now with Paredes stepping in at third and Walker providing Gold Glove defense and reliable pop at first, the Astros are betting on a new keystone combination to lead another deep October run.
A Calculated Gamble
However, questions linger about the 26-year-old Paredes’ ability to fully replace Bregman’s production. While Paredes posted an .800 OPS over the past two seasons, he’s yet to approach the MVP-caliber numbers Bregman put up at his peak.
Still, Brown voiced confidence that the Astros’ offseason maneuvering positions them to vie for another AL West crown and World Series berth. With Walker solidifying first base and a young but talented Paredes stepping in for Bregman, Houston is gambling that a re-imagined infield can maintain the club’s sky-high standards.
“If our pitching holds up, which I feel strongly about, as well, I think we’ll get deep into the postseason,” Brown asserted, setting lofty expectations for his revamped roster even as one of the faces of the franchise appears headed elsewhere.
As the Astros officially embark on the post-Bregman era, all eyes will be on Walker, Paredes, and the new-look infield to prove Houston’s championship window remains wide open. With their bold winter moves, the Astros have placed their bets. Now they await the results.
