The Astros might consider moving Christian Walker to make room for a Team Japan WBC champion.

Jon Conahan

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Astros could move Christian Walker to sign Team Japan WBC champion image

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TL;DR

  • Christian Walker's 2025 season was his least productive offensively, with a career-low OPS.
  • The Houston Astros may consider acquiring Japan's Kazuma Okamoto if they move on from Walker.
  • Okamoto could be a cost-effective alternative to other high-priced first base options.
  • Walker's contract makes him an attractive acquisition for another club, potentially opening the door for Okamoto.

Christian Walker's season didn't go as planned, with the Houston Astros anticipating the former power hitter to be among baseball's top first basemen. 

Walker has never been an All-Star throughout his career, but he was a consistent top-five player at the position over the past three seasons, even winning three Gold Glove Awards in that span.

In 2025, he arguably experienced the least productive offensive season of his career, achieving only a.717 OPS and a 97 OPS+, representing the lowest figures of his career in any season where he participated in over 37 games.

ESPN's Kiley McDaniel suggests that if the Astros decide to part ways with their current player, they might consider acquiring Kazuma Okamoto, a powerful hitter from Japan's NPB league.

“Okamoto could prove to be a cost-effective alternative to Pete Alonso (who projects for low nine figures) and can point to Yoshida's $90 million deal as a comp. The Mets, Astros, Yankees, Pirates, Marlins, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks all seem to be in on the first base/designated hitter market to various degrees -- and could be looking for a cheaper option than signing Alonso, Kyle Schwarber or Murakami, where Okamoto is the fallback option,” he wrote.

The Astros might be surprised to move on from Walker so soon, but his three-year, $60 million deal could make him an attractive acquisition for another club. 

If that happens, someone like Okamoto could make sense.

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Contributing Writer