The Astros welcomed first baseman Christian Walker to the team Monday, in one of two moves that almost certainly marks the end of Alex Bregman’s time in Houston. Walker signed a $60 million, three-year contract that will pay him $20 million annually just more than a week after the Astros acquired infielder Isaac Paredes from Cubs in the trade that sent outfielder Kyle Tucker to Chicago.

Christian Walker, whom the Astros signed with an eye toward an upgrade at first base, says joining Houston was a "no-brainer."

Walker is older but should still have good years left, while Kepler was one of the top potential bounce-back players on the market.