Report: Astros Could Trade Star Infielder This Offseason

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Houston Astros could shop first baseman Christian Walker this offseason. As Nightengale reports, the Astros were shopping Walker at last season's trade deadline when they made the move to acquire Carlos Correa. Walker batted just .238 in his first season in Houston, hitting 27 homeruns with 88 RBI and a team-leading 177 strikeouts.

Walker still has two years left on his contract, $20 million this season and $20 million in 2027. There may be a team out there looking to do a salary dump with a player as well, where Houston could swap for a position of need like a pitcher.

The other thing to consider is the Astros have a logjam on the infield currently, with Carlos Correa at third base, Jeremy Peña at shortstop, presumably Jose Altuve at second base (though we could see him in left field at some point again), and with All-Star Isaac Paredes returning, he could find a home at first base if Houston moves on from Walker.

Another report to watch for in Nightengale's piece includes the Miami Marlins perhaps wanting to shop ace Sandy Alcantara. Nightengale sites that Miami is set to accept the best offer they receive. The Astros have an immediate need for front end pitching with Framber Valdez hitting free agency. If the Astros could pool together an attractive trade offer, something that could include top prospects like Brice Matthews, Jacob Melton or Miguel Ullola, they might be able to add the former Cy Young winner in Alcantara.

Also, Chandler Rome of The Athletic has floated out the idea of a Jim Crane reunion with Justin Verlander. Verlander will turn 43 next year, but is coming off a season where he had a 3.85 ERA in San Francisco. An Astros rotation in 2026 of Hunter Brown, Sandy Alcantara, Cristian Javier, Lance McCullers Jr and Justin Verlander could be pretty formidable. And add in the mix new addition Nate Pearson, as well as Spencer Arrighetti, AJ Blubaugh, Colton Gordon, J.P. France, and Jason Alexander, the Astros will have some depth for the rotation. Perhaps later in the year they could see a return of either Hayden Wesneski or Ronel Blanco, which could provide even more depth.