Even though he's currently listed as day-to-day, the Arizona Diamondbacks could absolutely be in the market for Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker.

Walker, 35, was named a fit for the D-backs in The Athletics' latest trade deadline big board.

Diamondbacks fans haven't forgotten about his time with the team from 2017-2024, a run that included him having 61 postseason at-bats.

Here in 2026, the Pennsylvania native is slashing .234/.310/.456, but obviously Arizona knows what he brings to the table defensively. For what it's worth, his 1.7 WAR is a massive improvement from the 0.2 it was a year ago.

Together, Tim Britton, Johnny Flores Jr., Chad Jennings, and Eno Sarris compiled a list of 78 players that have a real chance of being moved at the deadline. Walker is certainly in that conversation, and there's no reason not to believe this Diamondbacks team won't be buyers.

"After a down year in 2025, Walker’s bat has bounced back. Now in his second year with the Astros, he’s hitting like he did the previous three years in Arizona," they wrote. "Defensive metrics no longer paint Walker as an elite fielder, but he has legitimate power. If the Astros sell, Walker could be in-demand for teams in need of right-handed pop."

It's easy to not even think about Walker as a reunion may have been off the table after 2024, but here in 2026 there's a real possibility this could be mutually beneficial to both sides. 

It's worth noting that in their three games back from the All-Star break, the Diamondbacks have already played a trio of players at first base. Ildemaro Vargas has 174 at-bats there this season, but he's the same age as Walker.

Elsewhere, 27-year-old Tim Tawa is a utility player who's had 24 at-bats at the position. Finally, 25-year-old Tyler Locklear has emerged as an option. 

If Arizona is going all in on Locklear, this could put them in an interesting position. That said, Walker has a slightly lower batting average than Vargas, but he has 13 more home runs and 11 more RBIs. 

If anything, this could be a move where Walker comes back and takes Locklear under his wing. That would leave Vargas as the odd man out, but he's also had at-bats at second and third base, along with shortstop and left field this season. 

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