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The Houston Astros made a big move at the MLB trade deadline by bringing back shortstop Carlos Correa from the Minnesota Twins in a major deal. This wasn’t just a sentimental reunion, it was a game-changing roster decision. The Astros are taking on $70 million for the next three years of Correa’s contract, and they plan to keep him at third base instead of his usual shortstop spot. That role remains in the hands of Jeremy Peña, who has been solid and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
But now that Correa is slotted in at third, the Astros’ infield is becoming pretty crowded. That has started to raise questions about what happens next, especially with young infielder Isaac Paredes expected to return soon. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Astros may look to clear space by trading away first baseman Christian Walker, who signed a $60 million deal just a year ago. Nightengale reported that the Twins actually had a chance to acquire Walker during the Correa trade talks but didn’t want to take on the remaining two years of his contract, which amounts to $20 million per season.
Walker’s situation is interesting because he was initially viewed as a key veteran presence in Houston. But now, with Paredes pushing for a full-time role and Correa locked in at third base, the team may not have room to keep Walker in the mix. If Paredes doesn’t stick at second base, Houston could shift him to first base, effectively bumping Walker out of the picture. Even though Walker is under contract, the Astros might be more focused on building a younger, more flexible infield with stronger long-term potential.
This season hasn’t been great for Walker either. He’s posted a .685 OPS, which is his lowest since 2018. That dip in performance could make the Astros more willing to move on, even if they have to take a bit of a loss on his contract. Still, Walker has shown flashes of being a strong hitter, especially against NL West teams like the Dodgers, which might make him an attractive trade piece. He could draw attention from teams needing a solid veteran presence at first base.
Overall, with Carlos Correa’s return shaking up the infield structure and Isaac Paredes pushing for more playing time, the Astros might decide that Walker no longer fits into their long-term plans. If they can find a trade partner this winter, especially one willing to absorb most of Walker’s contract, his time in Houston could come to an end after just one season.