The Christian Walker era in Houston began on Friday. Did it also signal the end of a remarkable run?

The Houston Astros are trying to keep their dynasty alive in the middle of a payroll crunch. After losing in the first round of the playoffs, they traded superstar right fielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs. Was Tucker the only All-Star contributor on his way out the door?

Alex Bregman, Houston’s free-agent third baseman, has been unable to come to an agreement with his longtime team on a potential contract. Tim Britton of The Athletic projects the 30-year-old Bregman for a seven-year, $189 million contract.

Things already looked dicey for Bregman to return when third baseman Isaac Paredes was included in the Tucker return. But the three-year, $60 million Walker deal may have put the final nail in the coffin.

On Friday, Cody Williams of FanSided predicted that Bregman’s time in Houston would come to an end this winter with the 2024 Gold Glove winner signing elsewhere in free agency.

“The Astros acquired Isaac Paredes in the Tucker deal from the Cubs, but his positional versatility still left the door open for Bregman,” Williams said.

“Walker now coming in at first base and Jose Altuve’s presence at second base makes that no longer the case. Paredes is not the third baseman in Houston, leaving Bregman now set to join another team for the first time in his career.”

Not only is there no spot left for Bregman on the Astros, but it would seem as if there’s no money left, either, considering Walker’s $20 million average annual value is likely just a few million shy of what Houston had been proposing to Bregman.

All good things must come to an end, and Bregman’s story in Houston will be a triumphant one. But the book may have officially been closed on Friday.