For the first time in a few years, the Yankees have a vacancy at first base after declining a club option at Anthony Rizzo.
Rizzo provided a steady presence for the Yanks, with his patented Gold Glove-caliber defense and at-times offensive numbers that helped the Chicago Cubs win the 2016 World Series.
Rizzo’s last few seasons were marred by injuries, and with him at age 35, the Yankees felt now was the time to explore their options. While there is a chance Rizzo will return, there are a number of free agent first basemen who could fill the void in the infield.
There is the upper echelon of free agents like Pete Alonsoand then there are older vets like Carlos Santana, Paul Goudschmidt And Justin Turner. But there is also Christian Walker, who became one of the best at his position over the past three seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Yankees often want their first basemen to be good defenders. We’ve seen that with Don Mattingley, Tino Martinez, Mark Teixeira and Rizzo over the past 30 years. And with an infield defense that has question marks at other positions, it may be more important that the Yankees’ next first baseman can make the save. Anthony Volpe, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and the person manning second/third base.
So who can give New York that defensive and offensive pop? Walker may be the best option.
PROS
Walker is a typical late bloomer. After struggling to get a regular shot with the Orioles and Diamondbacks early in his career – the latter thanks Paul Goudschmidt — Walker became a full-time starter for Arizona in 2019. In his first season as a starter, Walker slashed .259/.348/.476 with 29 home runs and 73 RBI. He hit at least 26 home runs in three of the next five seasons – eclipsing 30 twice – while driving in at least 80 runs and having an OPS above .800.
The only seasons where he didn’t reach those numbers were the COVID-shortened 2020 and 2021 seasons, when an oblique injury put him on the shelf twice.
In his three-plus seasons in the Bronx, Rizzo has come close to Walker’s numbers just once. That was in 2022, when he hit 32 home runs, drove in 75 runs and had an OPS of .817. Sure, Rizzo’s injuries have hampered him the past two seasons — he played in fewer than 100 games both years — but Walker’s offensive consistency is an immediate upgrade over Rizzo and every other free agent at his position not named Alonso.
Walker shifts to the defensive end and is arguably the best at his position. He has won the Gold Glove award in three straight seasons and led the NL with 13 putouts above average in 2024. He also made only two errors.
Offence? Bill.
Defense? Bill.
You can’t go wrong signing Walker if you’re the Yankees.
Disadvantages
The obvious downside would be the money.
While the Yankees are doing everything they can to re-sign Juan Soto, there may not be much left to bring Walker to the Bronx. The 34-year-old turned down the Diamondbacks’ qualifying offer of $21.05 million for the 2025 season, so he’ll likely ask for more than that, a price the Yankees may not be willing to pay if Soto returns.
Beyond that, Arizona making Walker an offer means the team that signs him will have to give up a draft pick to the Diamondbacks. Now I’m not too concerned about these draft picks if the player is worth it, and Walker is, but it’s something to consider if you’re a GM Brian Cashman and the rest of the Yankees brass.
You also have to consider Walker’s age. He’s just two years younger than Rizzo, and while he doesn’t have the time as a left-handed slugger, injuries could potentially become more common. This past season, Walker missed a month with an oblique injury, the same injury that derailed his 2021 season.
However, Walker has played at least 130 games over the past three seasons.
And finally, Walker is a right-handed bat, who can disrupt the balance of the lineup. With the future of Soto, Rizzo and Alex Verdugo unknown, the only left-handed starters at this time are Chisholm and catcher Austin Wells. If the Yanks land Walker, they’ll need more than just that Jasson Dominguez to compensate for the right-handers.
PRONUNCIATION
Casual baseball fans may not know Walker, but he is truly one of the best first basemen in the MLB and will make any team that signs him better. Although his offensive numbers dipped in 2024 due to injury, he is just one season removed from his best year as a Major League player.
If Walker can stay healthy, his offensive potential and gold glove will give the Yankees exactly what they need from first base, even if he doesn’t hit left-handed.
