Why Yankees letting Christian Walker sign with Astros was smart offseason move

Whenever one of your chief rivals signs a marquee free agent, it's usually troubling news. So if you felt uneasy after the Houston Astros swiped Chrsitian Walker away from the New York Yankees in free agency, it was at least understandable.

Yes, the Astros technically got better. Yes, the Yankees had to "settle" for one year of Paul Goldschmidt. But there are various "pros" to the Yankees not taking the plunge for three years and $60 million for Walker.

First and foremost, Walker is heading into his age-34 season. Though he was a late-bloomer, bursting onto the scene in 2019 (his age-28 season), the Yankees couldn't afford another multi-year deal with a player in their mid-30s. They just went through 3.5 seasons of Anthony Rizzo accruing a 3.4 WAR, paying him in excess of $60 million over that span.

Walker wouldn't have necessarily been a mistake, but he represents a risk. He's dealt with persisting oblique issues, saw an increased spike in strikeouts last year, and isn't exactly an on-base machine. He has great power, but as a righty hitter likely on the decline, Yankee Stadium isn't the best environment.

Why Yankees were right not to lock themselves into Christian Walker's contract

Also, being locked into a $60 million contract for a first baseman — a position that has a lot of depth throughout the league — feels a bit excessive. One year of Goldschmidt at $12.5 million is much more palatable, especially with Ben Rice waiting in the wings. Walker would've fully blocked Rice from making an impact over the next three years.

Not to mention, the Yankees already gave up draft picks by signing Max Fried. They would have had to do the same if they signed Walker. Are draft picks the most important assets in the world? No. But the Yankees have a diminished farm system and can't keep mortgaging their future on aging players, which is something fans have complained about for quite some time.

And lastly ... those draft picks that got swiped from the Astros? Talk about an organization that needs them. Houston is believed to have one of the worst farm systems in the league (if not the worst). Any detriment to their future is a plus for the Yankees.

In terms of payroll, Walker's $20 million AAV might've fully taken them out of the running for Alex Bregman, who is more and more likely to depart in free agency by the hour. If you had to choose between three years of Walker and five years of Bregman, Yankees fans would choose the former in a heartbeat.

Perhaps funniest of all, however, is that the Astros will be paying $39.5 million for a first baseman in 2025 — a ballooned cost for a largely expendable position. Walker costs $20 million, and don't forget Jose Abreu is on the books for $19.5 million in 2025.

Walker could end up making the Yankees pay. But the Astros got considerably worse and invested heavily in an aging player who doesn't play a premier position. Can't say fans have to be too worried about this.