FRIDAY: The Bucs are “shopping” Walker and have spoken not only with the O’s but with several other clubs, per Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter).
WEDNESDAY: The Orioles and Pirates discussed a trade that would’ve sent Neil Walker to Baltimore at last week’s GM Meetings, reports Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com. Baltimore’s initial hope was that Walker could be non-tendered due to his impending raise (MLBTR projects him at $10.7MM in 2016), but the Pirates do plan on tendering him a contract, Kubatko notes. Trade talks between the two sides didn’t get very far, as Pittsburgh’s asking price on Walker was deemed too high.
Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun also heard the two sides talked Walker, adding that it’s “pretty evident” that the Pirates are attempting to move Walker (links to Twitter). He classifies talks between the two teams as “off and on.” Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review hears that the Pirates are fielding offers for Walker, though he doesn’t characterize the desire to move Walker quite as aggressively as Encina does.
Both Kubatko and Encina note that while Walker is a second baseman by trade, the O’s are set there with Jonathan Schoop. Rather, the duo suggests that Walker could see time at first base while spelling Schoop and third baseman Manny Machado on occasion. Kubatko adds that the two sides could revisit talks in Nashville at the Winter Meetings next month and notes that the Pirates are likely seeking young pitching in return.
Per Biertempfel, Pirates GM Neal Huntington appeared on KDKA-FM radio today and said that the team has the resources to retain Walker, closer Mark Melancon ($10MM projection) and first baseman Pedro Alvarez ($8.1MM projection). All three have been suggested as possibilities to leave the organization, however, with Melancon and Walker being trade candidates and Alvarez being either a trade or non-tender candidate. Recently, Jon Heyman noted that the Pirates have fielded offers on all three, plus the rest of their arbitration class.
Walker, who recently turned 30, will be a free agent next winter. He’s coming off a solid, albeit down season at the plate, in which he batted .269/.328/.427 with 16 home runs in 603 plate appearances. Walker has rated as a considerably above-league-average bat by measure of OPS+ (114) and wRC+ (115) in parts of six big league seasons dating back to 2010. A history of back troubles and a pair of fluke injuries — a 2014 appendectomy and a severely lacerated finger in 2013 — have limited him to an average of 136 games per season in that time. He also rates as a below-average defender, though not egregiously so. Defensive Runs Saved pegs him at -10 runs over the course of 6889 innings at second base, and Ultimate Zone Rating feels he’s about six runs below average per 150 games.
The intrigue surrounding Baltimore’s interest in Walker is somewhat dependent on how the team truly feels he’s best deployed. If Baltimore is looking at Walker as an everyday first base option, then that would signal that the team isn’t confident in its ability to retain free agent Chris Davis. If the plan is for Walker to split time between DH, first base, second base, third base and perhaps even the corner outfield, as Encina writes, the interest wouldn’t seem to immediately preclude a reunion with Davis.
They should keep Walker being honest. There infield seems great with Harrison 3B Kang SS Walker 2B and Alvarez 1B. But if they somehow do get another infielder in the fold, then trading Walker for a pitcher would be good for the Pirates.
I’m sure they’d love to keep him, being a hometown kid and all. As a small market team though, the Pirates have to be frugal with their spending. He’s going to be making ~$10M this upcoming season, and although that may be his fair value(arguable) and inexpensive for wealthier teams, it’s tough for PIT to justify that amount for an aging, declining player when they have other options readily available. That’s not to say they won’t keep him, because they might, but they could instead use that money to fill other holes on the roster(primarily pitching). I think just about any local PIT fan wants to see him in black and gold next year, but Huntington needs to look out for the best interest of his club, next year and beyond.
In all honesty, an infield with Harrison at 2B, Kang at 3B, and Mercer at SS looks pretty solid on paper. They still have to figure out their 1B situation though(Alvarez is a liability defensively and inconsistent offensively; should be a DH), as well as what to do with Melancon, who’s also due a major pay raise. So maybe they trade Melancon and/or Alvarez to save money for Walker, or maybe trade all 3 and spend the extra money elsewhere. I’m personally thinking they’ll trade Alvarez and keep at least Melancon, but who knows. I’m guessing we shall soon find out! Keep calm and watch baseball!
If they’re trying to be frugal, then they should get rid of Morton ($8M), Melancon ($10M) and Alvarez($8M), not Walker.
From what I’ve read, they are trying to deal Melancon and Alvarez. Not sure about Charlie.
That’s a fair point, and I’m sure most PIT fans would agree with you on Morton and Alvarez(myself included). As stated above though, Walker is old(ish) and they already have a full infield with Harrison, Kang, and Mercer. So unless they can sign him to an extension on a team friendly deal, it wouldn’t make too much sense to invest a lot of money in a player that plays at a position of roster surplus. Maybe they have him play some 1B which is certainly plausible, and it gives the Pirates lineup options as well as a security blanket in case of injury to one their other infielders. Again, PIT fans love Walker and because he’s so revered among Pirates faithful, Huntington will think long and hard before dealing him. I’m sure he’s a tremendous clubhouse presence as well, which wouldn’t make the decision any easier. With that being said though, the GM has to make decisions that are in the best interest of the club, and paying that much money to an aging player at a position of surplus doesn’t seem to make much sense(in my opinion).
Unfortunately I don’t think there would be many takers for Morton. And I think they’d deal him in a heartbeat if they could.
Morton isn’t going anywhere unless they somehow find 3 aces willing to sign for peanuts (or get them in trade)
Morton is a solid bottom of the rotation guy who is ripe for a bounce back. despite his ERA he still went 9-9, had a 52% quality start rating and the team one 14 of 23 games he started. Yeah upgrade him if you can but he’s fine for the 4/5 spot, and unless it is a huge rebound probably gone in ’17 (1m buy out)
Now if Glasnow and/or Tailion come back this year and dominate.. he might not be in the rotation by mid-summer… but thats a pretty big if.
Kang is now a 3rd basemen primarily (though could play short in a pinch). His fielding at short was barely adequate before his injury and with the expected reduced range after the surgery he’ll be relegated to 3rd… which is good he is their best 3rd basemen.
With Cole and Taillon, Glasnow, kingham on the way, I can’t see the Pirates wanting exclusively pitching. Plus they just traded snider for Brault and Tarpley who both have looked great thus far. I don’t see this as the Pirates best fit for moving Walker
That’s what DD said to the Huntington. He was like remember when we gave you Tarpley and Brault for Travis freaking Snider? Do us a solid and send us Walker for a bag of balls.
Who would replace him? Harrison and his history of one good season? There doesn’t seem to be an immediate need for them to move the excellent Walker, this is curious.
I think you’re selling Harrison a little short. He had one GREAT season and he was a roughly league average hitter in 2013 and 2015. And he’s a better defender than Walker. He could definitely hold down the position.
It would reduce their depth, but if they got a great deal for Neil and felt they could fill another hole with that $10M, I’m all for it.
Harrison had 0.8 fWAR in 2011, 0.2 in 2012, 0.0 in 2013, 5.0 in 2014 and 1.3 in 2015. One of these things is not like the other. He had a .353 BABIP in 2014 too.
He’s not even remotely in Walker’s league. Josh Harrison is a 1-year wonder who you don’t make room for, you keep him around for depth. He’s a bench guy at best.
“Bench guy at best” is hyperbole. He makes any roster in the big leagues and would be a starter on many teams.
Bare WAR totals aren’t entirely fair as he didn’t play much in most of those years. Bottom line, in 1574 major league PAs, he has a 105 wRC+, solidly above average, and perfectly respectable for an infielder who can field his position. Walker has a career 114 wRC+ and a less than stellar defensive reputation. That’s the definition of “in Walker’s league.” If you prefer Walker, I won’t argue, but I’m sure “which guy is better” is not the only question the Pirates are asking with this decision.
Harrison was a bench guy/super sub until 2014, so its not fair to compare the prior years. And Josh was injured for a large part of 2015 with the injury (wrist) affecting him after he came back. I don’t think we ever see 2014 Harison again, but I think he resides somewhere in the 3-4 WAR range. I think Pirates fans will take that given his improved 2B defense.
.287 is much better than league average.. but his OBP and power is lower than i would like but still gets a fair amount of doubles.
Either Josh Harrison or a platoon of Jordy Mercer and Alen Hanson.
the simplest way to say this is, “No” Apparently the Brass doesn’t like Hanson and apparently he has “Tabata-itis” only with out the contract.
Hanson isn’t a good short stop, not very good at second they tried him at third a couple games last year and i think he even played corner out field and in a very small sample wasn’t all that good at that.
My understanding is that Hanson is now just a piece for a trade only to be used in an emergency, like Tabata.
You are misinformed on Hanson. He received good reviews on his 2nd base defense. In fact he has the glove to play SS he just has an inaccurate arm.
You say that ‘he just has an inaccurate arm’ like it is no big deal.
Here is another fact. Pedro has the glove to play 3rd base but has an inaccurate arm.
If accuracy was something that was easy to teach position players then Pedro would still be our starting third basemen.
Kang (before injury) would be a legit starting SS instead of a 3rd basemen who can play short if needed… even with his pre-injury range.
Yes, i’ve seen that he gets pretty good reviews at second and has improved in his time there I’m excited to see what spring holds for him… but I’ve also seen people say his work ethic and attitude are less than desirable in the dugout. I hope those people are wrong though.
Walker has been good for awhile, but I have zero problem with the Bucs moving him… if they get enough return. Walker is not a $10 million per year talent, and I would not be surprised if he begins to slowly regress. He’s a nice player, overrated to a degree by Pirare fans because he is a hometown guy, but IF the Bucs can get, say, maybe a younger infielder and a prospect for Neil, do it.
In WAR dollars, Walker has been worth between $17M and $27M every year for the last 5 years. 2.4-3.7 fWAR guys do not grow on trees.
Agreed. The Bucs may want to clear his salary, but he is still a good value at 10-11 million a year.
i agree with both you. If they can get a good return on a ‘cheap’ hitting second baseman then they should. (preferably quality starting pitching)
They can control Walker for this year, QO him next year and probably get a draft pick out of him.
He is only ‘expensive’ because we’re not used to paying over 5 million for position players. news flash.. get used to it 🙁
10 million a year is a bit too big given the Pirates’ economics, so I understand why they would look at dealing him. They would also be able to fit Kang in the infield more easily. However, I still think that Walker’s offense would trump anyone middle infielder on the roster or in free agency.
I absolutely hate this from the Orioles perspective. It makes no sense unless they plan on trading Schoop. And getting rid of him would be a waste considering he’s virtually the only talent that Baltimore has successfully managed to cultivate from their farm system.
Maybe they were talking more about a trade for Alvarez, considering the O’s lack of first basemen (does anyone really believe that Angelos would let the team pony up for Davis and sign a good starter?).
Am I the only one that thinks that Justin Morneau could do wonders at Camden?
Nope. The issue is paying 8-10 million for him to replace Davis but then him only play 89 games because of concussion or back issues. They are considering him but only as a last resort. He would do well at OPACY.
It’s all about his health. Clearly if Morneau is healthy he’d knock the hell out of the ball in Camden Yards. But if he’s in and out from concussion issues and other aches and pains then he becomes dead weight on a roster that cannot afford dead weight.
Break up the pirates! they win too many games!
There is a cost associated with 3 straight years of playoff baseball. And unfortunately they can’t afford to pay everyone.
At best, the Pirates will have Walker for only one more season and then he will leave as a free agent. No way will the Pirates sign him to a long term deal with him heading into his 30’s and has had back problems already. He will start to decline rapidly and they do not want to be stuck with a big contract over 5 years in length. If they can move him this off season for a good return they will so not to lose him next off season with no return.
The move may upset local fans, even some players, but I think Walker has hit his peak. Hansen, Mercer and/or another infielder should be capable of replacing him.
Of all three, I feel they should be trying to move Alvarez the most.
A deal centered around Hector Santiago and Walker wouldn’t be a bad idea for either team. The Pirates would likely have to add more, but it is a good place to start.
Would be a great fit for the Yankees
This is maddening. Besides starting pitching, the biggest position player need is first base. Kdro just isn’t going to cut it, and deserves nothing more than a bus ticket out of town. That I’d think will happen regardless the disposition of the Walker situation.
Now we find out that potential trade partners for Walker see him as either a super utility guy or a first baseman. To me, the Pirates move is obvious, move Kdro, convert Walker to first base, and then spend your resources on acquiring a front of the rotation starting pitcher. This is dependent on Walker being agreeable, and then signing him beyond this year.
To me this makes too much sense. Walker has never been a poor glove man, his defensive deficiencies center on limited range. I’d think the back issues would be less of a concern playing a less physically demanding position. He’s always hit, competently if not spectacularly, and as a switch hitter it saves another position player as you don’t need a second first baseman.
All though is predicated on a contract beyond this year. GM Huntington has never been particularly high on Walker, probably because he inherited him and didn’t draft him. I’m not particularly interested in placating Huntington politically, and suggest that his superiors need to direct him to make this a priority. I’d think a 5 year 50 million dollar contract would be about right.
Then go out and get us another starting pitcher (Greinke, Price). I’m sick of the penny pinching Pirates never being in the hunt for these marquee players.
What is wrong with another team seeing Walker as a 1B? I would rather they take that money for Walker, Melancon, and Alvarez and throw it at Cole and Polanco. Walker is 30 I would not want to pay him when he is 33+ because history says he will start to decline. Then you are stuck paying a declining player 20 million dollars. I would trade Walker and sign someone to platoon with Morse until Bell is ready to be called up. Giving Walker any extension is a waste of money. Greinke and Price won’t happen again they would be better served to try to sign Cole and Polanco. They gave Liriano 13MM a year so I don’t see how they are pinching pennies. They are negotiating again with Cutch. They have to know it will take 20+MM to sign him so obviously they are willing to entertain spending money. Greinke and Price would require 7+ years and again as I said with Walker they can’t afford to pay that kind of money 4-7 years from now when those guys are on a sharp decline. They have to be smarter with their money.
almost agree.
If you don’t’ find a decent deal for Walker, Keep him then QO him in the off season he accepts you got a quality 2nd baseman for a price that isn’t the worst.. if he doesn’t you’ll probably get a draft pick. (but trade would probably return the most)
You don’t’ need to platoon Morse, his splits are pretty even. I don’t know Bell’s splits but he is a switch hitter with no power. I think we’re just so used to platooning first that we have forgotten that you don’t’ have too 🙂
there are plenty of mid rotation guys available that could be had for liriano type yearly salary if not less (latos/leake come to mind) and a few pitchers who could probably be brought in on “cheap” one/two year deals to prove they can still pitch (Lincicum for example)
In no way should they throw 50 million guaranteed at Mr. Walker for over 5 years. He Is 30 now and already has dropped off some this year plus a history of back problems in the past. He will command more in free agency and knows it. He will get more this year in arbitration then be a free agent the next year. Pirates have not been penny pinching either. Have paid McCutchen, Marte, Harrison, Kang and trying to lock up Polonco. Not a koolaid drinker here. Have been a fan since the 1960’s Bob Prince and Nellie King days. They are now in position to make deals like the Cardinals have made in recent years. They have tended to trade veterans and promoted from within lately. Seems to do them well. By the way eddiemerchant, they have been trying to trade Pedro for a while now. You need someone willing to take him too. Greinke and Price will be pitching in on of the top 5 money markets and no where else. Dream on for a small or mid market team to be able to pay huge money and not have to worry that something happens to a 200 million dollar man.
For the Os I think it doesn’t really relate to Davis. They need a backup plan if JJ is not healthy again and Paul Janish/Ryan Flaherty aren’t cutting it. They can move Walker to 2nd, Schoop to 3rd, and MM to his natural shortstop position. Or move Walker to 3rd leave Schoop at 2 nd.
The Pirates are a better team with Jung Ho Kang at 3B and Josh Harrison at 2B than they are with one of them at 3B and Walker at 2B. If Kang is going to be healthy for Opening Day, or within the first 2-3 weeks of the season, move Walker and look to get some bullpen help for him. I’m hopeful the Bucs resign Sean Rodrgiuez regardless, so can always ride him at 2B for 2-3 weeks if need be to open the season until Kang is back.
I would rather not sign SRod and just let Ngope be the utility infielder. I have read scouts think he might be one of the best defenders in all of professional baseball. I am sure he could post a similar OPS to Rodriguez and he won’t cost but the league minimum.
Gift could be the plan since they added to the 40man a few weeks back.
to all teh “TRADE PEDRO!” comments. the pirates have been trying to trade him for a while. with the amount of push behind trying to trade him everyone expects him to be non-tendered and they can pick him up with out a trade.
There is zero chance the Pirates non-tender Alvarez. His glove isn’t good but they won 98 games with it in the lineup as the primary 1st baseman last year I am sure they will be willing to roll the dice again this year.
if there is a reason the pirates do not win 95 games this coming year it is because Pedro is on the roster. Pedro was the primary first basemen because they really had no other options. An injured Hart and a Utility player in SRod where the other options until Morse and Aramis got in town.
in the last month, SRod went 56 innings, Morse went 61 innings Aramis went 30 innings while pedro went about 155. He had more innings than anyone else but it is clear they where actively searching for someone to do better at the position.
There is zero reason a NL team needs to keep a one dimensional player at 8 million. If a team was going to trade for him they would have done so already.
I like Pedro and would like to keep him.. but not at anywhere near the 8 million he is projected to get in Arb. They only way I even think about it is if i see his off season work out and it is very very intense in fixing his issues even then… i don’t know.
Makes no sense they need him but ownership isn’t interested in really winning! It’s all about cost control and making money!