The Pirates may say goodbye to second baseman Neil Walker after the season, writes Rob Biertempfel of the Pittburgh Tribune-Review. He’s set to earn at least $10MM in his final year of arbitration eligibility. Due to a balky back and the availability of Jung-ho Kang, Jordy Mercer, and Josh Harrison, Pittsburgh may prefer to commit that money to another position. Of course, the Pirates will probably never reach the point of actually non-tendering Walker. Plenty of teams should be interested in a one-year flier on the 30-year-old. Biertempfel offers a fascinating look at Walker who is actually a Pittsburgh native. It’s well worth a read.
- Pittsburgh should actually extend Walker, opines Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Rossi refers to Walker as a fan favorite and lauds his clubhouse presence. Rossi suggests a four-year, $47MM contract as a reasonable compromise. Of course, the notoriously penurious club does have a wealth of affordable middle infield depth with Kang, Harrison, and Mercer on the roster. Prospect Alen Hanson is also close to major league ready. Presumably, Walker could return a decent player via trade too. While it’s tough to part with a hometown fan favorite, sometimes it’s the right thing to do.
- A hot October could lead Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to his desired six-year contract, writes Mark Townsend of Yahoo. While teams may be concerned about offering a big guarantee through his age 36 season, they may be willing to swallow the risk if they can bank on production early in the contract. Of course, no player is a sure thing to repeat past exploits. Postseason success would certainly go a long way towards assuaging any doubts. I said the same earlier tonight when examining the players who most improved their free agent stock.
- The Padres are pleased with Jedd Gyorko’s development at shortstop, writes Corey Brock of MLB.com. The Friars began the experiment to keep both Cory Spangenberg and Gyorko in the lineup. While there is obviously concern about his defense, his offense easily ranks among the best at the position. Advanced statistics like UZR aren’t a fan of his work, but a one month sample is way too small to form a judgment. He hasn’t committed an error and makes all the routine plays. A NL West scout even suggested that he looks more comfortable at short than second. If the club thinks he can continue to man the position in 2016, it could save them from scrounging through the free agent shortstop market.
As a Pirates fan, the Kang injury all but assured Walker will be back. Which sucks, because I was all for trading him
As a Pirates fan, do you think the Pirates are looking for depth at SS with Kang out now? Would they want Barmes back?
They were looking at Barmes at the deadline so it’s possible. Tho I believe the Padres still have him for another year and I’m not sure what it would take to get him
You’re correct, it’s a team option. If they want to let Walker walk, Barmes would be cheap veteran depth. He’s been coaching the youngsters in SD at how to play SS/2B, so his value extends beyond playing time at this point. I love having him around, but I don’t see his role expanding next year. The Padres might like to move him now for a couple of project prospects.
Like allowing Walker to hit FA a year early would hurt him. The Yankees would gladly pay him 10m a year to fix that hole they have had at second since Cano left and give him multiple years just to go to NY, maybe even 3y and 12m a year based on his track record and the people the Yanks have had to rely on over the last couple of years.
I totally agree with the Yankees taking on Walker. Second base has been a question mark since Cano left and I really do not think Refsnyder is as reliable as advertised. But in case they do miss out, the Yankees should extend an offer to Howie Kendrick and Daniel Murphy for the right price; maybe around 4y/40-60m, somewhat like Headley’s contract and Gardner’s extension.
Hoping that Refsynder’s is growing so we won’t have to take on more free agents just to fill a hole. But I would not mind taking Walker. His consistent bat to the Yankees already consistent lineup.
Why non-tender him and let him walk a year early and nothing in return? Surely he would still be attractive on trade market this winter to teams needing help at 2b.
That was my point. He’s better than probably half the 2nd basemen in the league, then you have the Pirates that already have a couple of guys in theory that can play the position a lot cheaper and they are a sort of small market team. Odder things have happened.
Am not saying they would actually remove him from the 40 man roster, though his trade value is probably somewhat diminished with teams who REALLY need a 2nd baseman (hello Yankees) knowing the Prates really can’t afford to pay him 10m next year and will take cut rate value, at best back in a trade.
It’s not right and possible the Pirates (tho improbable) just DFA him rather than take back some near nothing in exchange. I’d think he’s still got fair value.
There are so many teams that would trade for Walker, really makes no sense not getting anything for him.
Oh someone will trade for him, but it’s not like there will be a feeding frenzy. He’s a 2 WAR (at best) player that should ideally be a strong-side platoon 2B, making $10m for one year. That’s some excess value (a few million) but not a ton. B minus prospect returning, if that.
I gotta think he’d have a pretty similar return to what Philly got back for Chase at the very least. But I don’t think that’ll matter. I don’t see how the Pirates can move him now that Kang will miss some time going into next season
I see that if Walker were to go to free agency, he would get a nice paycheck for 4 years. If the Pirates were to resign him, he would get maybe 3-ish years and decent pay. His attitude is great and the clubhouse loves him. I would just see decreased playing time with Harrison and Alen Hansen coming up.
Kangs injury all but guarantees Walker will be back. Even then, there’s a good argument to keep all of them. Start Kang at third, Jordy at short, Walker at second and JHay as a super utility guy who can even relieve Marte when he inevitably hurts his hand.
Simple, keep Walker, play him at second, Kang at short, and J-Hay at third and bench Mercer cause he really doesn’t deserve to start, he isn’t better than the other 3.
Unless Walker is willing to change positions, I don’t think its wise to extend him. His range at secondbase is declining, and he’s basically become a platoon player at this point. He has been really bad against LHP.
If he’s willing to become somewhat of a utilty infielder, then I’d consider keeping him around. He could provide depth as a corner IF, mainly first base until Josh Bell is ready, and get some time at third, filling in for Kang or Harrison.
Walker should be extended because he’s a vastly better and more consistent player than Mercer or Harrison, who both might end up falling into “one year wonder” categories. Luckily the Pirates are a smart team who will more than likely keep everyone due to their team depth being a hugely important factor in their recent success. With the way prospects are getting valued, they might even get better players in return for theirs than any of these players anyway, especially from a non-contender looking to shed contracts.