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There hasn’t been “an excessive amount of” speak between Christian Walker’s representatives and the Diamondbacks a couple of contract extension, although the primary baseman instructed Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that he “loves” enjoying for the workforce. Nevertheless, Walker can also be within the thought of testing free company subsequent winter after the common-or-garden beginnings of his profession, as he bounced round to a number of groups and didn’t turn into an actual large league common till 2019, his third season in Arizona. “To look again, it’s a way of accomplishment. Like, wow, we’ve created this leverage; it’s a factor now,” Walker stated. “We’ve got the ball in our court docket. It hasn’t at all times felt that method….I believe it’s motivating to maintain wanting to go in that course.”
Walker will probably be 34 on Opening Day 2025, so hitting the market at one thing of a complicated age is prone to restrict his probabilities at a very prolonged contract. He’s a primary base-only participant, but with the advantage of being baseball’s finest defensive first baseman, because the winner of the final two Fielding Bible Awards and Gold Gloves on the place. To associate with his very good glove, Walker has additionally hit .253/.332/.463 with 115 homers over 2619 plate appearances because the begin of the 2019 season, translating to a 112 wRC+. (Over the past two seasons specifically, Walker has 69 homers and a 112 wRC+.)
It is going to be attention-grabbing to see if the D’Backs might work out a solution to re-sign Walker, because the workforce is projected for a membership file $143MM payroll heading into 2024, however an honest chunk of cash is coming off the books subsequent offseason. This might present a gap for a reunion between the D’Backs and the underrated first baseman, if an extension isn’t reached earlier than Walker even will get to free company.
Extra from across the NL West…
- Keaton Winn’s sore proper elbow has “calmed down” after a bout of nerve irritation, the Giants rookie instructed reporters (together with Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle). Winn didn’t want a cortisone shot and has been cleared to start out throwing once more, so he believes he’ll have loads of time to ramp up in time for Opening Day. The 26-year-old right-hander made his MLB debut in 2023, and is one among a number of younger starters the Giants are relying on by way of at the least the early a part of the season earlier than Alex Cobb and Robbie Ray are slated to return from the injured listing.
- Newly-signed Padres reliever Yuki Matsui is day-to-day with again spasms, supervisor Mike Shildt instructed reporters from 97.3 The Fan (X link) and different media shops. The issue doesn’t look like too critical, however Shildt stated the workforce is simply taking a precautionary measure this early in camp. After an excellent profession in Japan, Matsui made the soar to the majors this winter, signing with the Padres to an interestingly structured five-year deal that may pay the left-hander $28MM in assured cash.
- Prime Rockies prospect Adael Amador had an injury-shortened 2023 season and has solely performed 10 video games on the Double-A degree, so it would nonetheless be some time earlier than we see Amador within the Present. Nevertheless, his improvement this season won’t solely hasten his personal potential path to the majors, but when Amador performs properly, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post feels it would make the Rox extra open to buying and selling Brendan Rodgers to clear room at second base. It wasn’t way back that Rodgers was additionally seen as one thing of a constructing block in Colorado, although Rodgers performed in solely 46 video games final season on account of shoulder surgical procedure and didn’t hit properly after returning to motion. Since Rodgers is just beneath workforce management by way of the 2025 season, there was some sense that Amador is already seen because the long-term substitute, and the Rockies have explored dealing Rodgers previously. After all, this all would possibly hinge on how properly Rodgers performs within the early a part of the 2024 marketing campaign and whether or not or not he can rebuild his inventory both as a commerce chip or as a part of Colorado’s future plans.
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