Will the Yankees miss out on Christian Walker, just as they did with Juan Soto? It looks like the talks have not hit a dead end but have been cooled down. Walker is not a superstar, but he has had quite an impressive season. In 2024, the 33-year-old hit six home runs; while those numbers aren’t of Shohei Ohtani’s level, they sure present a reliable hitter. So, why are the Yankees backing down?
First, there’s the age factor: Christian Walker is 33 years old; so, giving him a long-term contract does not make sense for the Yankees. A two-year contract is fine, but the talks stopped in the third year. For a rebuilding team like the Nationals, he’s exactly the type of veteran presence that can provide both stability and production. But for the Yankees, who are already stable and are serious contenders for the 2025 World Series championship, will Christian’s deal even pay off?
The Yankees are second-guessing signing Christian Walker
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Another problem around signing Christian Walker is the draft picks compensation. Walker was given a qualifying offer, which he rejected; now, if the Yankees want to land Christian, they will have to give up on a draft pick. So, the New York team could be thinking: Is Walker worth it? Given his age and the compensation, the pinstripes are confused about what to do. But the team cannot be in this state for long; while they may be having doubts about Walker, other teams do want him—one such name is the Washington Nationals.
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It’s funny how it always comes down to Juan Soto. The Nationals were in major need of re-signing someone when they lost Soto. The Dominican player was the face of the franchise for many years. After losing him, the team was slow to rebuild itself; in 2024, too, there haven’t been many major signings. Now, the squad is eyeing Christian Walker to help them rebuild. While Walker may not be the ultimate solution because of his age, he could provide valuable leadership. And, of course, his three Gold Gloves at first base would be an asset to their defense as well. But what about his former team?
The Diamondbacks’ backup plan
The Arizona Diamondbacks are getting ready for the possibility that Christian Walker could sign elsewhere. General manager Mike Hazen made it pretty clear that they will handle Walker’s departure with a sense of preparedness and respect. As Hazen put it, “Walk’s a stud” and “self-made,” praising the veteran for his contributions to the team. However, the D-backs do understand that nothing is certain. So what options do they have?
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Fortunately, Arizona will not have to look far, as they have a few internal options. First, we have Pavin Smith, who could get a more prominent chance to secure the first base job. In 2023, Smith showed flashes of his potential with a career-high. 896 OPS in 60 games. However, his playing time has been limited, and he has only faced left-handed pitchers in a small sample. The D-backs believe Smith has earned a chance to get more consistent at-bats against righties, and with Walker’s potential departure, he could step into a bigger role.
The next option is Adrian Del Castillo; the rookie catcher impressed at the plate in 2024, but his defensive struggles behind it make him an unlikely candidate to move to first base anytime soon. Hazen has noted that they’re not rushing into that decision; so, if Christian Walker does sign elsewhere, the D-backs will need to be creative. The squad will likely look into adding a veteran bat through free agency or via trade, particularly with a focus on first base or perhaps even a power bat to balance the lineup.