The Phillies announced that veteran infielder Neil Walker, whom they designated for assignment last Friday, has elected free agency after clearing waivers. Philadelphia also reinstated Scott Kingery from the injured list and optioned lefty Ranger Suarez to the alternate training site.
Walker, 35, struggled to a .231/.244/.308 slash through 18 games and 41 plate appearances prior to being designated on Friday. The Phils opted to swap him out for fellow infielder Ronald Torreyes, who gives them an option at shortstop — a position not in Walker’s repertoire — and to provide better overall glovework at other spots around the infield.
Although Walker wasn’t particularly sharp with the Phillies, he notched a solid .261/.344/.395 batting line with the Marlins just last year. He was also a consistently productive hitter from 2010-17, slashing a combined .273/.342/.439 in 4294 plate appearances between the Pirates, Mets and Brewers. He’ll be eligible to sign with any club for the duration of the season should he choose. If he does latch on with a new club by tomorrow, he’d still be eligible for his new club’s postseason roster.
idve optioned Kingery too. any utility players on the waiver wire? how about OFs, because Garlick is grabage.
Kingery has been hurt or ill the majority of the year, but he certainly has more upside than Walker. He could also field more positions.
id just rather him be sent down to sort things out. hardly interested in giving up on him overall, just for this year.
Phillies are toast now anyway. Season over. May as well call up the kids.
Pirates should sign him so he can retire in a Pirates’ uni.
Yes I agree but terrible there are no fans he deserves A proper farewell in Pittsburgh. A true good guy in the game and did well for us muts fans lol.
He should be signed by the Athletics in case if Jake Lamb struggles.
Agree France, just for the experience factor.
Sorry for the autocorrect Francys.
yankees
Oakland A’s will sign him
Too bad Brock Holt didn’t wait. He’s batting 12/36 since joining the Nats. He obviously chose playing time to auction for next year but he’d be my choice over both Lamb and Walker had he waited to see if another opportunity arose before tomorrow’s deadline.
Blue Jays could use a leader/vet in the clubhouse. Problem is, hard to make room for him when players return from IL.
You mean the great Jonathan Villar isn’t leading by example?
Well played. Villar is an absolute headcase. Can’t field, barely able to play 2B, awful runner despite having good wheels. He’s worse than what you advertised.
Just imagine if someone could actually get into Villar head and straiten him out, with his wheels and contact ability the ceiling would be greatly high.
Agreed oldschoolmets. Problem is Villar is pushing 30 years old. Have to assume Houston, Milwaukee and Baltimore tried. He is 30 going on 13.
Unless he’s got a playoff chance the Pirates should sign him just because
Watch out for the Braves as well yes I know they just got Panda but another utility experienced guy just might attract them.
Veteran utility option for a contender. Could see him landing with TOR or OAK.
Oh boy, this scares me. Here come the Yankees to scoop him up – ugh.
I wish they would have brought up Medina and moniak