If there's a blemish with the Houston Astros' strategy they have executed this season of toeing the line between rebuilding and competing, it's that their lone big-money investment, Christian Walker, has not been exactly what they were looking for.
First base has long been a trouble spot for the Astros, and unfortunately, Walker's performance this year, a .236/.298/.391, has been reminiscent of year one of the last big-money first baseman the club brought in, Jose Abreu.
That's raising some alarm bells, and at 34 years old, Houston might be staring at the reality that this isn't just a down year for Walker, but rather, the start of his decline.