A tumultuous offseason for the Houston Astros continued on Friday.

By signing Christian Walker to be their new first baseman, the Astros ensured that their lineup would have a much-needed power presence at both infield corners. Isaac Paredes should provide some thump at third base, assuming Alex Bregman’s days in Houston are over.

But these days, it’s as much about the names leaving Houston as it is about the new players coming in. In addition to Bregman’s potential departure, All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker has already walked out the door via trade.

Free-agent starting pitcher Justin Verlander, a nine-time American League All-Star, seems likely to soon join the list. Recently, Cody Williams of FanSided predicted that the three-time Cy Young winner would sign elsewhere to pitch his age-42 season.

“Verlander posted a 5.48 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP over 17 starts this past season and never quite looked right, much less like the dominant force he’d been so often in his career,” Williams said.

“When you then factor in Verlander’s age and the now-lingering questions about what he has left in the tank or if he can stay healthy, any inkling of him returning definitely seems out the window at this point.”

Though he won’t cost the $43 million salary he was paid in each of the last two seasons, Verlander still likely doesn’t fall within the Astros’ tightening budget. And as great as he was during his eight total seasons with Houston, he didn’t pitch well enough in 2024 to merit a return.

Nothing is ever set in stone, but Williams’ inkling that Walker’s deal puts the nail in the coffin for a Verlander reunion seems prudent.