The Yankees’ curiosity in Christian Walker was initially reported on final month, however it wasn’t till Juan Soto signed with the Mets that the Yankees had been seemingly in a position to dedicate extra consideration to different position-player targets. The change of focus apparently occurred fairly rapidly, as Joel Sherman of the New York Publish writes that the Yankees “renewed contract discussions” with Walker’s camp on Sunday night, which was the identical time that information broke of Soto’s report $765MM contract.
Whereas the pitching and hitting markets aren’t precisely the identical, the Bombers’ eight-year, $218MM megadeal with Max Fried is straightforward proof that New York has been in a position to rapidly pivot into the remainder of its goal listing with Soto off the board. First base assist and lineup assist in basic are each wants, and signing Walker would handle each points in a single fell swoop.
Fried’s deal provides one other wrinkle to the Yankees’ pursuit of Walker, or every other free agent who rejected a qualifying provide. As a result of New York was a luxurious tax payor in 2024 and since Fried turned down the Braves’ QO, the Yankees had to surrender $1MM in worldwide bonus pool cash in addition to their second- and fifth-highest picks within the 2025 draft so as to full the signing. Inking Walker to a deal would value the Yankees one other $1MM in int’l pool funds, in addition to two extra draft picks — their third- and sixth-highest picks.
As a lot of a success this could possibly be to New York’s 2025 draft plans, Brian Cashman’s entrance workplace would possibly view it as a obligatory value so as to capitalize on the staff’s rivalry window. Fried provides one other top-flight arm to pair with Gerrit Cole atop a deep Yankee rotation, Aaron Choose remains to be arguably the most effective hitter within the sport, Giancarlo Stanton has a bounce-back 2024 season, and a youthful core of Jazz Chisholm Jr., Austin Wells, Anthony Volpe, and (New York hopes) Jasson Dominguez can all contribute each now and sooner or later.
Walker would signify one other massive piece to this puzzle, bringing each elite first-base protection and a powerful bat. Walker is popping 34 in March however hasn’t proven indicators of slowing down, plus his age is likely to be a characteristic and never a bug by way of the Yankees’ wants. MLB Community’s Jon Morosi mentioned {that a} shorter-term contract is likely to be extra preferable for the Yankees than an extended deal for a youthful first base choice, which is why Morosi notes that Walker “is extra of a precedence for the Yankees than Pete Alonso can be.”
