2:16pm: Then again, Joel Sherman of the New York Post hears a deal is indeed near. (Twitter link.)
2:05pm: Ackert’s source now tells her a deal is “definitely in the works” but is “not close to being done.” (Twitter link.)
2:02pm:Â The Mets are “closing in” on a deal for Walker, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports (via Twitter).
1:00pm: It appears that the Pirates are targeting starting pitching in any deal for Walker, according to a series of reports.
Jon Niese of the Mets is one name that has come up in talks as a “possible return” for Walker, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports on Twitter. He’s owed $9MM for the coming season, which is close to Walker’s expected cost, and can also be controlled via successive $10MM and $11MM options.
As for the Angels, it’s not clear which of several possible players could make the most sense. Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times suggests on Twitter that Hector Santiago would make for a “good fit” in Pittsburgh, but I’d have to think the Bucs would need to add to Walker to pry him free. Meanwhile, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review notes in a tweet that C.J. Wilson could be a part of a trade, though he notes that the Halos would have to add cash for that to line up.
Meanwhile, the Nationals do have interest but it is “nothing serious,” per MLB.com’s Bill Ladson (via Twitter).
11:35am: The Angels are also among the teams with strong interest, according to reports from Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter) and Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Twitter link). The Dodgers also have interest, he adds, though it’s not as significant.
11:22am: The Nationals have joined the Mets with interest in Pirates second baseman Neil Walker, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports on Twitter. Both teams heavily pursued Ben Zobrist in free agency and are now apparently looking at backup options.
Notably, the Mets were spurned by Zobrist despite feeling confident that they would get a deal done. And the Nationals joined the Giants in topping the offer that he eventually took with the Cubs, according to a report from James Wagner of the Washington Post. It’s apparent, then, that both clubs had serious interest.
Given that the division rivals were said to be looking at Zobrist primarily as a second baseman, Walker represents a less-versatile, less-accomplished, but younger alternative. The 30-year-old is also a switch hitter, though he’s been far better against righties than lefties. He’s never put up the numbers that Zobrist has at the plate, but does own a strong .272/.338/.431 career batting line.
Walker is quite a different asset from Zobrist, though, as he’s only under team control for one more season. MLBTR projects that he could command $10.7MM through the arbitration process.
Pittsburgh also had talks with the Orioles, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review tweets, but those discussions were ended when they failed to develop any traction.
Would Roark be too much for Walker? Or Could a Melancon / Walker trade work for the Nats? What could the return look like?
I’d save Roark for Andrew Miller. Yes, I’m on a “Go get Andrew Miller” campaign.
Yeah Roark wouldn’t get you Andrew Miller at all. prob Roark and Aj Cole
I could live with that. Taylor Jordan can keep the seat warm for Lucas Giolito.
Walker and Melancon could help the Nats in 2 areas. Free up 20mil to put toward Kazmir
I don’t think Roark is enough for Walker. Add a prospect. And If the Nats want Melancon with Walker, they better REALLY step their game up
yeah i agree Roark isnt’ enough especially with the iffy year he had last year… but a good start. a postion player prospect like anderson franco (3rd/short) and a fringe pen arm?
If they want both Mark and Walker, they’d have to be talking one of their staple rotation arms not named Max.
Brock Holt as an alternative. Enlarge the package, and include a pitcher and others for one of the Mets top 3 starters.
You can start by adding bogaerts and betts if you’re serious.
LOL no.
If the Mets trade one of the top 3 starters that brought them to the World Series they’re going to need a LOT more than Brock Holt.
Try Henry Owens, Boegarts and Betts. That might get you Matt Harvey
there’s no chance the Mets are going to trade a cheap, cost-controlled, high performing young starter for Brock Holt–someone who is now 27, and is probably at his ceiling as a no-power utility player.
lol, that will never happen.
Scooter Gennett is available. Then again, the entire Brewer roster is available at a fair price.
It’s really funny now isn’t it in reply to the Brock Holt comment above. Zobrist sets some new kind of super utility record, highlighting how valuable these types are now and you have to wonder just how much Dombrowski is calculating he can get for Holt this winter with the way he’s been swapping players so far.
Boston has Rutledge, Marrero and possibly Marco Hernandez as utility types either on the 40 man roster or at Pawtucket. None are in Holt’s class, but if Holt has huge trade value?
It’s also ironic to discuss holy in a deal for Melancon as holt was sent to the sox with hanrahan for Melancon and others
HOLT not holy!! Then again if Kanye can call his kid Saint why not Holy
I like how any one who plays multiple positions is Ben Zobrist now Holt has never been above league average in OPS+
Walker is right up the Angels alley. If they don’t get a lefty power bat, and get someone like Cespedes, the lefty bat could come in the form of someone like Walker.
Angels need controllable. Neil Walker is a FA next year. Theyd be better off getting Heyward or a younger bat out of a position.
Controllable, free agent in a year, doesn’t matter. They would likely get Walker and sign Heyward or whoever to play LF. They need offense.
I guess Hanson is going to be on the roster next season.