This winter, the New York Yankees will need to address a few big voids. One of them is clearly at first base, where the Yankees allowed veteran Anthony Rizzo leave in free agency to kick off the summer. The Yankees have a couple excellent first-base alternatives in free agency, including New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso and Arizona Diamondbacks journeyman Christian Walker.
Alonso is expected to receive a six-year, $174 million contract. Walker is expected to sign a three-year, $66 million deal. FanSided’s Jacob Mountz recently urged the Yankees to sign the Diamondbacks’ first baseman.
Mountz recommended the Yankees to sign Walker this winter for a variety of reasons. “Right now, it appears that the Yankees are very likely to sign Christian Walker.” Walker is a good first-base defender with 30+ home run potential and, most importantly, will not break the money,” Mountz noted. “The Yankees regard Walker as the finest bargain. Walker hit.251/.335/.468/.803 with 26 home runs in 479 at-bats for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024, despite an injury-plagued season. Walker had 36 and 33 home runs the previous two years, respectively. Walker is the best defensive first baseman, having won three Gold Gloves in a row.
Walker is the best choice for the Yankees here. He’s inexpensive while also delivering the defensive play that Aaron Boone requires. Rather than merely being a defensive magician, Walker has the potential to blast 30-plus home runs with exceptional OPS numbers. Walker’s game has no major flaws other than his age, which has never prevented the Yankees from signing a free agent in the past.
Leave a Reply