Christian Walker lands with Astros for $60 million as Yankees, Mets continue first base search

The first-base market has begun to move, and the Yankees and Mets have not yet moved. 

Christian Walker struck a three-year, $60 million deal with the Astros on Friday that takes one target off the board for the Yankees and takes one landing spot off the board for Pete Alonso, which helps the Mets’ chances of bringing back the slugger. 

Walker became the initial free-agent first baseman to find a new home on a deal that is not extraordinary.

He was among the best bats and probably the best glove available at his position. 

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As a Diamondback, he had won a Gold Glove each of the past three seasons, a span in which his OPS has not sunk below .800.

Walker has been consistent, brings pop (averaging nearly 32 homers per year the past three years) and would have been an enticing option for the Yankees. 

His largest downside was his age (34) and his qualifying offer, which would have cost the Yankees two more draft picks after already losing two in signing Max Fried. 

Here is what the initial first-base domino falling could mean for the Yankees and Mets: 

Yankees 

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Their options are growing narrower, although the addition of first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger allows some flexibility. 

The best free-agent first baseman still available is Alonso, but it would be a surprise if the Yankees splurged on a lumbering 30-year-old coming off a down regular season with concerns about how well he will age. 

Short-term options include Paul Goldschmidt and Carlos Santana.

On Wednesday, GM Brian Cashman said he has talked with Anthony Rizzo’s agent and wouldn’t “close the door,” but a reunion seems unlikely. 

It is likely that the Yankees at least explore the trade market. Nathaniel Lowe is estimated to make around $10-$11 million in his second-to-last season of arbitration, a sum the Rangers could seek to offload.

The Giants could shop LaMonte Wade Jr., who is entering his final season of arbitration, slated to make $4-$5 million and would bring less power but consistently gets on base.

Yandy Diaz is set to make $10 million next season, which is the type of contract that the Rays often trade away.

Similarly, the Guardians will owe Josh Naylor about $14 million in his walk season, which is a hefty price for that franchise. 

Unless the Yankees’ potentially pivot to Alonso, which is unlikely, there is a growing chance they settle on a short-term option (either through trade or free agency). It is also possible they plant Bellinger at first base, trust Jasson Dominguez in center and add a left fielder, but there are more options at first base than in the outfield. 

The best internal choice is Ben Rice, who showed some promise in 50 major league games last season but cooled off and finished with a .613 OPS. 

“Ben Rice has a chance to be an impact bat in time,” Cashman said this week. 

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Mets 

It is growing harder to figure out where Alonso could land, which is encouraging for his incumbent club. 

Maybe the Mariners or Giants, two teams that crave power, make a sizable offer that lands the lifetime Met, but a nine-figure contract from either club would be a surprise.

The Diamondbacks — Walker’s former team — could use a first baseman, but they were unwilling to stretch for Walker.

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Without Houston to fall back on, Alonso has a thinner market. (He also cannot be thrilled that Walker did not receive a fourth year.) 

Like Bellinger with the Yankees, Mark Vientos offers the Mets malleability in adding a corner infielder. If, say, the Mets make a run at Alex Bregman, Vientos could move to first.

Vientos also could stay at third, and Alonso would be the most logical bat on the market. 

There are baseball reasons for the Mets to target Alonso, who has hit more home runs than anyone besides Aaron Judge since debuting; who has proven himself in New York and the postseason; and who would help the Mets’ short-term odds while they try to maximize the prime seasons of Juan Soto. 

There are also less tangible marketing reasons for a reunion.

Alonso, a popular figure among fans and in the clubhouse, almost certainly would become the franchise’s all-time home run leader.

He trails Darryl Strawberry by 26. 

The largest obstacle toward the Mets re-signing Alonso has been the possibility another club would offer him a large and lengthy contract. Alonso lost one potential suitor Friday.