The Houston Astros were patiently waiting, hoping that the free-agent market wouldn’t spiral out of control for position players. This is, so that they got a shot to re-sign their star player, Alex Bregman, without going into that $200 and more territory. However, not everything goes as planned, and in just one day the off-season market has turned upside down. The biggest change is the signing of Willy Adames by the San Francisco Giants.

On the eve of the Winter Meetings, Willy Adames signed a jaw-dropping seven-year deal with the San Francisco Giants. For the Astros, this is surely a game-changer, but not on the positive side. Because Adames’s deal just raised the bar, giving Bregman and Scott Boras that edge for an even better payday. This brings a dark cloud over the Astros’ dreams of 2025.

Can Houston Astros afford Alex Bregman now?

The Houston Astros were already in a tough spot, keeping up with Alex Bregman and their financial constraints. The battle negotiating for him with Scott Boras, his agent, has been quite an uphill battle. But now things are even more complicated. Adames signed a $182 million deal with the Giants, complete with a $26 million AAV. This allows Scott Boras and Alex Bregman to ask for even more in the market.

Houston’s current offer is something they got to after stretching their payroll. And now the reach to Bregman seems even further with Adames whopping deal. What’s worse is that Adames wasn’t just a benchmark for Bregman’s value; instead, he was a second option for the Astros in case Alex’s deal fell out. Now, with Adames out of the table, they might have to look into an already dry first base market.

It seems a tough call, and with options running out quicker than anticipated, they would want to make a decision soon. It just seems like a game of chess, and the Astros are on the clock to make the next move. But if the situation demands, they have to pivot, and there is a name they can look into.

Plan B if Houston Astros pivot from Bregman

If the Houston Astros decide to pivot from Alex Bregman, then Christian Walker may be a compelling alternative. He isn’t a direct replacement for Bregman’s third-base prowess, but still, he brings plenty of value to the table. His stance at first base mostly is commendable. Brian McTaggart of MLB confirmed that the Astros are already interested: “The team has discussed free agent first baseman Christian Walker, a three-time Gold Glove winner.” 

Christian Walker, although not an elite defender at first base, has been a consistent power hitter. Over the last few seasons, he has even outpaced Bregman both in home runs and OPS. So he could help fill that void that Bregman leaves behind. He missed 32 games because of an oblique injury; still, he managed to clinch 26 home runs, a testament to his power.

Walker is a smart and cost-effective choice to bolster the lineup of the team. Plus, he can also bring that leadership to the clubhouse. What do you think of this Plan B to Bregman? Let us know.