According to Peter Gammons of the MLB Network, the Seattle Mariners would "love" to acquire free-agent first baseman Christian Walker. However, Gammons noted that the first baseman is currently out of their price range, but trading starting pitcher Luis Castillo could open enough space on the books for the infielder. Castillo's name has been circling around trade discussions all offseason, and it could make sense given Seattle's depth at that position. Last summer, Walker held a solid .251/.335/.468 slash line with 26 home runs. Under the hood, the 33-year-old generated a .351 xwOBA, a 13.3% barrel rate, and a 48.0% hard-hit rate. Walker would provide some nice, consistent power to the Seattle lineup. The Yankees have also been a team that has expressed interest in the 33-year-old.
With the New York Yankees failing to re-sign superstar outfielder Juan Soto, they have renewed contract negotiations with free-agent first baseman Christian Walker, according to sources. In addition to Walker, the Yankees are multi-tasking on pitchers and hitters as they look to make a big splash to try and replace some of Soto's production. If the 2025 season began today, Ben Rice would be New York's starting first baseman. But if the Yankees sign Walker, it could allow them to dangle Rice in a trade for a pitcher such as Chicago White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet. Walker turns 34 in March and is likely to receive no less than a three-year deal. The Yankees would prefer if he were left-handed, but he's been a consistent power threat over the last few seasons and has won the last three National League Gold Gloves at first base. A move to the Bronx would give Walker even more fantasy upside.
The Detroit Tigers have kicked the tires on free-agent first baseman Christian Walker this offseason as they search for a right-handed bat. However, the Tigers may not be willing to get aggressive enough for Walker if big-market teams get involved in the bidding. Walker is considered more of a long shot for Detroit because he'll come with draft-pick compensation after he declined the Arizona Diamondbacks' one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer. If Detroit cannot find a right-handed bat on the cheap in free agency, they could turn to the trade market for someone like Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm, Marlins corner infielder Jake Burger, Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz or Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle. As things currently stand, the Tigers have Matt Vierling and Jace Jung at third and Spencer Torkelson at first base.
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal suggests that free-agent first baseman Christian Walker, who is from the eastern part of Pennsylvania, could be an ideal fit for the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team looking for upgrades on offense. However, many other teams will be interested in Walker this offseason, including both New York teams if they lose out on superstar free-agent outfielder Juan Soto. The Pirates expect outfielder Bryan Reynolds to play some first base in 2025, but ideally, the Bucs are looking to add a first baseman and a corner outfielder this offseason. The 33-year-old Walker turned down the Arizona Diamondbacks' $21.50 million qualifying offer, so if Pittsburgh signs him, they'll give up draft compensation. Walker has been a model of power consistency in recent seasons, although an oblique injury hampered him down the stretch in 2024. A move to Pittsburgh wouldn't be ideal for fantasy, but he'll still be a decent target at the position once the elite names come off the board.
MLB Network's Jon Morosi likes free-agent first baseman Christian Walker as a fit for the New York Yankees this offseason, whether or not they end up re-signing superstar outfielder Juan Soto. The Arizona Diamondbacks extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to Walker, so if the Yankees or any other team scoop him up, the D-backs will receive draft-pick compensation. Walker represents a nice fallback option for teams looking to add a first-base power bat this offseason that don't want to pony up to pay free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso. The 33-year-old doesn't have the type of power upside that Alonso has, but Walker is an elite, Gold Glove-caliber defender at the cold corner and has 30-plus homers in two of the last three seasons. A move to the Bronx and the Yankees' stacked lineup would certainly give Walker more fantasy upside in 2025 and beyond.
The Arizona Diamondbacks extended a qualifying offer to first baseman Christian Walker this past week and he has two weeks to decide on whether or not to accept it. Should he not, it is reported that there are at least six teams that will "aggressively pursue" the would-be free agent, although most major league clubs would be interested in his services. The Yankees and Mets appear to be the most likely landing spots if he doesn't return to Arizona, as the Yankees will likely need to replace Anthony Rizzo and the Mets will likely need to replace Pete Alonso. With Walker entering the 2025 season at age 34, he's not expected to cost as much as Alonso would, but can bring some good pop with his bat and just earned his third consecutive Gold Glove award.
Christian Walker Receives Qualifying Offer From D-Backs
The Arizona Diamondbacks extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to free-agent first baseman Christian Walker on Monday, according to sources. If Walker chooses to reject the offer and signs with another team on the open market, the Diamondbacks would receive draft-pick compensation. Not only is the 33-year-old veteran one of the better first-base bats in baseball, but he also just won a third straight National League Gold Glove at the position. The former fourth-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles out of South Carolina, Walker hit .251/.335/.468 with an .803 OPS, 26 home runs, 84 RBI, two steals and 72 runs scored in 552 plate appearances over 130 games in his eighth year in the desert. It was a slight drop in production from the previous two years, but he did miss some time late in the year due to injury. He has 25-plus homers in each of the last three campaigns.
Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) has been activated from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday. The 33-year-old is back in the mix after going down in late July due to a left oblique strain. Before going down, Walker was in a slump at the plate, but he has put together a fairly strong 2024 campaign as a whole. He's hitting .254/.338/.476 with 23 home runs and 71 RBI in 107 games this season. Walker will bat cleanup and cover first base against left-hander Kyle Harrison on Tuesday. Fantasy managers who have Walker rostered can safely get him back in their lineups.
Christian Walker Expected To Rejoin Team In San Francisco
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) did some work at Chase Field before Monday's series finale against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers and might not need another minor-league rehab game. It sounds as though Walker will come off the 10-day injured list and rejoin the team in San Francisco against the division-rival Giants during their upcoming series that starts on Tuesday. It remains to be seen how effective the 33-year-old first baseman will be in his return from a strained left oblique that has kept him out since late July, but the D-backs and fantasy managers could sure use his middle-of-the-order power bat after just dropping three out of four to the Dodgers. Walker will return to a .254/.338/.476 slash line with 23 home runs and 71 RBI for Arizona in 107 games in 2024.
Christian Walker Takes Live Batting Practice Tuesday
Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) took live batting practice before Tuesday's series opener against the visiting New York Mets at Chase Field. Manager Torey Lovullo said Walker could play in simulated games at Salt River Fields in a controlled environment as early as this weekend. The 33-year-old Gold Glover injured his left oblique on July 29 against the Washington Nationals, with an MRI exam taken the next day showing a low-grade strain. Walker should be back to help Arizona and fantasy postseason rosters at some point in early September, but until then, Josh Bell should continue to serve as the club's everyday first baseman.
