The Yankees’ interest in Christian Walker was initially reported on last month, but it wasn’t until Juan Soto signed with the Mets that the Yankees were seemingly able to devote more attention to other position-player targets. The change of focus apparently happened pretty quickly, as Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes that the Yankees “renewed contract discussions” with Walker’s camp on Sunday evening, which was the same time that news broke of Soto’s record $765MM contract.
While the pitching and hitting markets aren’t exactly the same, the Bombers’ eight-year, $218MM megadeal with Max Fried is easy evidence that New York has been able to quickly pivot into the rest of its target list with Soto off the board. First base help and lineup help in general are both needs, and signing Walker would address both issues in one fell swoop.
Fried’s deal adds another wrinkle to the Yankees’ pursuit of Walker, or any other free agent who rejected a qualifying offer. Because New York was a luxury tax payor in 2024 and because Fried turned down the Braves’ QO, the Yankees had to give up $1MM in international bonus pool money as well as their second- and fifth-highest picks in the 2025 draft in order to complete the signing. Inking Walker to a deal would cost the Yankees another $1MM in int’l pool funds, as well as two more draft picks — their third- and sixth-highest selections.
As much of a hit this could be to New York’s 2025 draft plans, Brian Cashman’s front office might view it as a necessary cost in order to capitalize on the team’s contention window. Fried adds another top-flight arm to pair with Gerrit Cole atop a deep Yankee rotation, Aaron Judge is still arguably the best hitter in the sport, Giancarlo Stanton has a bounce-back 2024 season, and a younger core of Jazz Chisholm Jr., Austin Wells, Anthony Volpe, and (New York hopes) Jasson Dominguez can all contribute both now and in the future.
Walker would represent another big piece to this puzzle, bringing both elite first-base defense and a strong bat. Walker is turning 34 in March but hasn’t shown signs of slowing down, plus his age might be a feature and not a bug in terms of the Yankees’ needs. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi said that a shorter-term contract might be more preferable for the Yankees than a longer deal for a younger first base option, which is why Morosi notes that Walker “is more of a priority for the Yankees than Pete Alonso would be.”
Alonso could be the unlucky 1-year candidate this offseason. But we won’t know until long after Walker has signed.
I doubt it, but only because if he drops his AAV enough Mets will bring him back. He is worth far more to them than he is to any other club.
Otoh if Mets acquire a 3b then I’d say Alonso may be in trouble.
3 years 75 million for walker. Who says no?
$25MM AAV seems high, but then again, all free agent prices seem high so far.
Walker? Cashman? Who knows. I can see him getting 4 years even 5.
That’s essentially the amount owed to Nolan Arenado (but Rox are paying $10M so any team would owe more like 64M). Will be curious if the cards are able to move him and if he would actually waive to NTC to go to NYY (previously they were not mentioned as one of his 6 teams). Feel like he would be a solid fit in the Bronx. Nearly the same B-WAR as Walker last season too
Nolan at 3b. Goldschmidt at 1b. 2 big known names. I think marketing pr wise it would be on par with Soto. For 700m cheaper. Think most fans would feel good and excited about 2025. I think Goldy can still be a good player. Nolan average or above still. Playing in ny with judge in lineup and jazz on bases would get the best of them. Mainly just want their name recognition though. But could be all around win.
Your dream – Is this serious? Why not bring Rizzo back with Lemahieu/Berti. Cheaper and hell, might even get more production.
Rizzo old news. Even the most casual fans think he is toast. Same with DJ who was never a star to begin with. Berti even I vaguely remember who that is.
as a Yankee fan living in St. Louis, I’d say stay away from Goldy and Arenado…they are cooked…
@hcmmike Nolan I would lean that way. Goldy though hit the ball hard last year according to the data (nolan didn’t). When you go it can be fast but if he can hit exactly the same as he did last season he could put up the same numbers or even better I predict. I predict when he signs you will see comments can’t believing he got so much and over pay and wow etc. I’ll double check and report back if wrong. I only looked briefly because these teams are too stupid and or cheap to hire me to be their real gm so I am only a dream. But I remember them being pretty impressive still. Nolan will probably do better in trade than people expect but not because he is crushing the ball still.
@hcmmike Yeah Goldy hits the ball better than half the league. Many ways better than two thirds or better. Walks were down. That can be fixed by random luck or different lineup. 2nd half .271 .319 .480 .799 vs LHP .295 .366 .473 .839 away from st Louis .266 .325 .448 .774 Under these circumstances he was a good player. Combine them all and really good. In 2022 2023 he hit rhp. Hit at home. Hit in 1st half of season. He still hits the ball hard, just as hard. Doesn’t make sense. I would bet on him having a better year in 2025. I know pitching much better than hitting. But a smart team should have someone who knows hitting like I do pitching and they can study his video and see if they see anything of concern or something they can correct. I don’t have the time or the desire to do that even if I wanted to. But they will. Unless they find something he should be getting calls from contenders.
Nolan had a significant drop of in hit ball data and it wasn’t great the previous few years. But he doesn’t strike out and teams are realizing the value in this again. Looks to still be an elite defender I dunno. You need scouting for that but what little I seen of him I liked. Data looks good. Yeah he probably doesn’t throw as good. Doesn’t have the same range. This isn’t a big concern to a team with a ss that has range and moves well to 3b side. Just like a team with a 2b with some range won’t worry about Goldy. Even then they wouldn’t worry because picking is all they care about at 1b. I think there will be a lot of surprised people for both. Well Yankees fans reading this comment section shouldn’t be after I typed all this.
Exactly. Arenado coming to the Yankees would be Rizzo 2.0. only playing 3b and hitting RH. No thanks.
Mozeliak approached the Yankees earlier and was rebuffed. Jack Curry stated due to his cost and recent performance, although they highly respect Arenado they are considering other options.
Nolan released his list after that front office exchange but was willing to waive it for the NYY at the beginning of the week.
3/66 sounds fair
Not happening hard pass
Try and trade for Bellinger with possibly getting Cubs to take Stroman full salary by adding 1B Rice to sweeten the deal what essentially is a $9 millon hit for 2025. If Bellinger does good he opts out and Yankees can try to lock him up on 5/100 deal or simply walk away and focus on Guerrero or Tucker in 2026.
Cubs won’t take Stroman back for free and they have Michael Busch at 1b whose probably better then Rice now and in the future.
I THINK Belly is a good fit for Yankee stadium but need to actually give up something of value or something the cubs could use. They think they can win the division next year.
Not with his $52 million price tag they wont get much in value without eating significant money
@Anthony Conforto 17m Hernandez Salander will get more than that. As the music stops and chairs are low Bellinger isn’t looking bad. Same with Nolan. There numbers look higher in midwest than they would on the coast.
No way should the Yanks include Rice into a deal for Belli. That reeks of Jay Buhner for Alvin Davis. I have no idea what Rice will do but he near mlb ready and Belli is just a short-term acquisition as he could walk next year.
When was jay buhner traded for Alvin Davis?
Uhhhh Never. Jay Buhner traded for Ken Phelps.
@Big
my bad
You Belli at first in this scenario? I’d plug him into CF and let Jasson take LF. Still sign Walker in my version of events.
@Belli
JD’s natural position is CF. Why not put the young legs in CF and put the vet in LF and let him reserve some energy?
meant @walls
All the prospect reports of the past said that it would difficult for him to stick in CF, but I guess they could try him there, and it seems like that is what they are leaning towards right now, so I guess you’re right.
@walls
only position he’s played
Not true in the slightest, He played more LF than CF in the Majors this year let alone he had been playing there more often in the minors too in 2023-24.
Jasson is in CF his natural position as why hurt their defense
I think this makes sense and Cubs would be okay with bringing Stroman back as he pitched well there
Zero chance the cubs take stroman back unless the Yanks severely overpay in assets which is not smart or the cash man way
Need to dump him somewhere else and use what u get to try and get Belly
A lot of teams salary dump players to each other – see Donaldson/Sanchez – Robinson Cano/Jay Bruce, the Braves trades last offseason. It’s about finding the right fit. The Cubs I’m sure would be fine with slotting in Ben Rice for the time being and then don’t have to pay off Belli. If Rice isn’t the guy, they have multiple top infield and catcher prospects coming up next year. The Belli money is already accounted for, no one is taking on his full contract. So you get at least something in the pitching department in the meantime.
It’s not always a perfect match, but they would free up $7 mil next year, and open up more playing time for Michael Busch
I would trade Nestor, Warren, Peraza for Bellinger and still try for Walker. Cubs need pitching and Peraza is either depth or trade piece
They would be better off trading Nestor for a better asset than Bellinger
Mark – Are you confident that signing a second QO FA incurs an additional $1m IFA pool penalty for CBT violators? This link at mlb.com confirms loss of additional draft picks but is silent on additional IFA penalties. mlb.com/glossary/transactions/qualifying-offer
Definitely correct
Fighting on the losing side of an argument, but the true QO price may actually ripple through MLB’s salary structure in a way the Owners didn’t anticipate. By penalizing high revenue teams for signing a QO you block them getting draft picks that could have provided them with prospect talent that would eventually develop into major leaguers. Yankees think they need Walker because their system hasn’t provided a younger alternative. This is 1B–not the hardest position to fill–but they haven’t. So they need to bid higher, which in turn drives up the price of like-kind players. Some of this is poor FO work–Cashman is not very good at his job. But some comes from this weird rip-tide.
Yankees need to get younger. I’d take my chances with Rice,Cabrera, or Brumfield at first base. Unfortunately, Walker to Yankees seems inevitable. It’s time to see what these Yankees kids can do Durbin, Pereza, Vivas, Jones, Dominez etc.
Jones is no option at this point. His hit tool is untenable barring drastic development.
@kwolf
I think k’s are always going to be part of Jone’s DNA, but he can still be a good hitter. He had a weird season last year. He alternated from a fantastic month of .900 OPS, to a horrible month and then back to another fantastic month of .900 ops. He did finish setting having back to back .900 OPS in August and September.
Peraza and Vivas ain’t big leaguers.
Jones will need to fix his strikeout problems. Right now he makes Joey Gallo look like Tony Gwynn.
The Martian is ready and will be on the opening day roster.
The jury is still out on Durbin but it takes more than a good AFL showing to be taken seriously.
What? Durbin crushed all level in minors in addition to AFL. He is going to surprise everyone come ST
Anthony he’s a 24 year old 5’6″ 185 pound second baseman drafted in the 14th round and has not appeared on any prospect rankings that I could find. So you’re right. Anything he does in ST will be a surprise. I’d love to be wrong about him but I think he should be trade bait while he has any value what so ever.
“makes Joey Gallo look like Tony Gwynn”… Brutal but hilarious.
@Mike
The Yanks have Ben Rice. He debuted last year to replace Rizzo. I think they want to give Rice more AAA seasoning. I think Cashman has Duke a pretty good job. Yes, the Yanks have a ton of money, but so do the Mets, and they only won 89 games last year. I think Cash had done a good job of acquiring talent via FA, smart trades ( Jazz, acquiring Durbin in a minor league trade, etc) and knowing which prospect to graduate (Gil, Schmidt, Cortez, Wells, Volpe, JD) and knowing which one to use in trades.
I take your point, but if Rice needs one more year for seasoning, you are spending $75M, two draft picks, and $1M in international money. That’s the problem with the Yankees system–not enough ML-ready players who can diminish the possibilities of this kind of a move. It’s not a dis against Walker, just a question about how Cashman operates. The Dodgers have better management.
@Mikenmn – I like Walker, hit not a fan of losing that much draft capital/international money for him. If they need a stopgap, why not Carlos Santana. The offense is average, he’s a SH and he is also an excellent fielder. Plus, he won’t cost those draft picks or a long-term commitment.
There’s Naylor or Nathaniel Lowe. Both teams looking for pitching so might Cortes for one of them make sense?
@ MIkenmn – I’ve been saying the same thing for years. This is quadruple taxing teams (luxury tax, increased tax for multiple offenders, loss of draft picks and loss of international revenue). There’s also a drop in 1st round pick of 10 spots.
Or simply look at the example between Fried and Soto for the Yankees.
Yankees sign Fried for 218M. They lose 2nd and 5th highest picks plus 1M in international bonus.
They lose Soto who signs for 800M. They get a measly 4th round pick.
QO compensation should be based on amount of contract. Comp for QO free agent should only come from additional picks given by league. The acquiring team shouldn’t lose picks.
Just to maintain roster flexibility, I’d rather they trade for Belli, assuming the price cost wouldn’t include a top prospect like JD, Durbin, Spencer, Rice or Arias.
Bellinger could cost up to $32MM for one year of service. That is going to kill any return for the Cubs, who seem mostly interested in moving Belli for salary relief so they can direct resources elsewhere.
Why are the Yankees not looking to unload DJL? He’s taking up a valuable roster spot. Honestly, if Yankees had any interest in him, they needed him 2 years ago instead of bringing back Rizzo. I want Bellinger more than Walker because he’s a Lefty and can play the outfield or 1B. Arrendo, Goldy, and Walker are getting too old. If the Yankees don’t want any of these kids, then trade them now. The window for Judge and Cole is closing fast. Get proven younger players like Bellinger or Tucker.
Maybe because DJL has negative value. He probably can’t be traded, which simply leaves them with an “eat it for the roster spot” option.
Because Cashman is a prospect hugger. Won’t pay another team to take him. I haven’t scouted dj in a long time but sounds like he is old massively over payed and down for. No team wants that.
Its called RELEASED as they will eat the 2/30 as no team touching what is the WORST player in mlb last 2 yrs! He sucks, worthless
@LordD99 – It isn’t just that Bellinger costs $27.5M for 2025 but he could also re-up for that same amount for 2026.
Cubs have to be willing to take Stroman…and even then they control if Stroman gets 140 innings as opposed to Bellinger controlling the extra
Let’s say Stroman reaches 140IP to trigger 2026 option for 18M. That amount in today’s market isn’t as ridiculous as it sounded before this off-season.
Possible 55M for Bellinger vs possible 36M for Stroman. I just don’t see that being a straight up swap for Yankees.
.
Bellinger hold $25 million option or $5 million buyout for 2026.
Walkers contract is going to get bad quickly. That’s worse than loosing int cap space and picks. Yankees should stay away or he’s gonna be the next of a long line of aging contracts on that roster
Yankees still could have a good offseason even without Soto. Let’s see what Cash will do…………..
Easily. Tons of great options out there. Soto would have been awful. I mean awful. They dodged one there. I helped pay for fried and watched sny interview with Cashman. It seemed to me he thought Soto was too much and didn’t want him but Hal really wanted him.
Define “awful.” This was arguably the best all around hitter in baseball who just finished his age 25 season. Are you talking about awful in the last few years? That’s possible, but not guaranteed, and the same could be said for the last few years of Fried’s contract.
@Boodge: If you’re looking at just the last 4 years of Soto’s contract being “awful,” the probable $220M that will be owed is more than Fried’s entire 8 year deal.
Except that with inflation that will be relatively less money than it is in todays dollars, and Steve Cohen is one of the only owners that would not allow dead money to get in the way of signing players, in the unlikely event that it is truly “dead money” at the end of the contract.
Lmfao!!!!! Soto was NOT the best player on his own team and Ohtani, Betts, Witt all have something to say as Soto is not even TOP 5 in mlb!
IF NYY fans want to take advantage of Judge, Coles, Jazz, Stanton (slight decline) and now Fried prime years someone like Bellinger makes sense even IF he stays only 1 or 2 years and/or stays longer and signs an extension.
The “New Tino Martinez’, part time OF and DH.
Walker is not a bad idea IMO he is going to probably cost about the same without the opt outs (but no OF versatility)
The Future is NOW?
Honestly rather have Bellinger for one year than multiple years with Walker. He’s not costing much that’s for sure, but I think there’s too much smoke around Walker/Yanks to dismiss it.
There’s part of me that wants Alonso, as I think that would strike back hard against the Mets and honestly he’s the biggest bat that could replace Soto in FA.
But if we can get Belli for a year, Vlads a FA next year and Murakami is getting posted. Both are more exciting than anyone right now.
Cashman better fix this team now without Soto. It’s time for him to earn his money or let him go.
I think he shouldn’t have knee-jerk reactions, but there’s plenty of options to Soto.
I know folks want to call Fried a desperation signing, but that deal did not come together in a day. No deal of that size does. Fried has been worked on for a bit, no doubt, and I see him as a Cashman type, so much so I should kick myself for changing him last minute off the Yanks in the contest.
The man makes plenty of deals, I’ll never fault him for that. We’ll see what happens, but he’s got a few holes to fill and I’m excited to see the outcome.
@Salzilla – There’s no way Guerrero is signing with the Yankees. With Soto on Mets, they likely look like his destination.
Guess what, though, the Mets currently need a 1b, too. So who knows who they’re signing and how that affects their roster. Neither team may be in that market next year.
I don’t think mets would care about Yankees taking Alonso. He’s old news. Soto is bigger name. Better bat. New toy. They might go Walker, save a bunch of $ and get a better player. Maybe get real sneaky, save a truckload of $ and get Santana and get almost as good player if they get lucky or at worst good enough. Goldschmidt same thing even better. Old Pete would be last on my wish list unless everyone thinks like I do and he is the cheapest option.
Mets fans adore Alonso, and to a man every one I know personally wants him back, ESPECIALLY with Soto there. And let’s not discount Pete’s bat either. Combined with another bopper, he’s lethal. I’d stick him in there with Judge and Stanton and feel pretty good.
No Santana for me, thanks. He’s still productive, but that could fall at any second, and fall hard. I’d be intrigued by Goldschimdt on a one year deal, though, more.
That’s what they need, another right handed 34 year old.
Trade Nestor for bellinger with the cubs paying down his salary. Then sign another pitcher. Hopefully burnes
If the Yanks sign Walker , than they’ll just need a 2b and RF which the Mets can help with both, McNeil and Marte to the Yanks for either Clarke-Schmidt since they have 7 SP’s now with Fried or Poteet and another reliever? Warren or Kennedy with Poteet
@Jvent – You’re kidding right? Neither Marte or McNeil are worth Clarke Schmidt. McNeil had issues with Lindor.
Both guys had injury isssues and are far from good defensive players or athletic. And both are on wrong side of 30.
No to Clarke Schmidt for either (or both)
53M owed to Marte & McNeil also makes it a no.
I am still seeing a Walker to Giants signing for 3 years between 60 and 75mil. If that does happen then I see Bellinger going to the Yankees, Cubs getting a little better package in return. Yankees could turn to an Alonso signing, that would make for an interesting saga of the Mets versus the Yankees.
The Giants have Eldridge about ready. Why would they sign Walker and block him?
I’d like to see them sign Christian Walker for 1B, move Chisholm to 2B, trade for Nolan Arenado for 3B, trade for Cody Bellinger for CF, as Judge moves to RF, and start Dominguez in LF.
Why isn’t Alonso their top target?
I don’t want Walker at all. They need more Lefty in that lineup after losing Soto, Rizzo, and Verdugo. The lineup still needs balance. Trade for Bellinger and sign Profar with Dominez in CF. Or trade for Kyle Tucker. Trade Gil,Rice,Pereza and Spencer Jones for Tucker.
Gil, Jones, Rice and Peraza for 1 yr of Tucker!!!!! Lmfao!!! Yankees wont go near that. Gil, Rice and maybe a lessor prospect gets it done easily
Walker feels meh and feels like he could turn into another Rizzo- a guy who looks great the first year plus so they extend him again and then he’s an empty roster spot and sunk cost for the next couple of years… of course he could be a late bloomer and be worth every penny, but that’s a real gamble…
Did Rizzo have back problems or something with the Cubs? I can’t remember but if he did that’s a huge factor. Or if Walker does that’s something to consider.
I’m concerned about precipitous drop off due to his age- I could be wrong, I just have a nagging concern about that.
Rizzo had back issues since his time with the Cubs, but what derailed his time with the Yankees wasn’t his back but rather a bunch of freakish injuries. He had a concussion that didn’t get diagnosed until months later, he had an injury after getting hurt in a weird play at 1B, and towards the end he had broken bones on his non-throwing arm which he played through during these past playoffs and had decent at bats.
He might be a good bounce back as they say. Cant predict freak injuries. Not for Yankees maybe but for someone.
Ironically, Rizzo would be a good one-year deal with trade chip potential for the White Sox. He’d be a good influence on the young guys, and he’s pretty familiar with the White Sox.
Soto and Boros did the Yankees a favor by rejecting their generous offer.
Now, the Yankees can pivot to spending all that money on multiple players and team needs
Yankees have a solid young core of players.
And, they can work the free agent and trade markets to replace and surpass Soto’s offensive production.
And Judge or Tucker or another player would give the Yankees
great offense in RF and would be a huge upgrade on RF Defense.
Impressed with the Fried LHSP signing.
It could also give the NYY trade bait from the pitching to fill other holes.
Judge is NOT the sports best hitter – October counts as well.
He’s got a Mattingly attitude.