The Mets have a deal with taijuan Walker, sources tell SNY.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) February 19, 2021
Walker gives the rotation a big boost after posting a 2.70 ERA over 11 starts last season, in what was essentially his return from Tommy John surgery last season. @martinonyc was first with the deal.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 19, 2021
Taijuan Walker to Mets pending physical @martinonyc 1st
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 19, 2021
#mets in agreement with Taijuan Walkerat 2 years, $20M. There is a player option for a third year, pending physical
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 19, 2021
#Mets indeed have agreed to terms with Taijan Walker, a source confirmed. Pending physical. @martinonyc first with news.
— David Lennon (@DPLennon) February 19, 2021
Taijuan Walker gives the Mets exactly what they needed at this stage of the offseason - a solid option to bolster their rotation.
— SNY (@SNYtv) February 19, 2021
(@martinonyc) pic.twitter.com/cNn4w50riD
#Mets got themselves a starting pitcher.
— Joe DeMayo (@PSLToFlushing) February 19, 2021
Opening Day rotation could be (in whatever order):
Jacob deGrom
Marcus Stroman
Carlos Carrasco
Taijuan Walker
David Peterson https://t.co/emsB4VIHY8
I think people do point at Walker's 2.70 ERA/4.56 FIP a lot. it can be a fair criticism, but I'd also argue that Walker's 22.2 K% (tied for highest in career), harnessing hard hit rate (74th percentile) can be an indicator of upside. Also, keep in mind of long layoff in '18~'19. https://t.co/cBmD9yt4yq
— Sung Min Kim (@sung_minkim) February 19, 2021
With that said, the #Mets are looking to bridge a gap between now and (hopefully) June when Noah Syndergaard returns. If Walker is healthy and productive beyond that point and the rest of the rotation is intact, the club has a very good problem and the team is probably winning.
— Michael Baron (@michaelgbaron) February 19, 2021
The signing of Taijuan Walker also potentially makes the bullpen/rotation depth deeper with Joey Lucchesi, Sam McWilliam, and Jordan Yamamoto no longer being primary options out of the gate. #Mets
— Michael Baron (@michaelgbaron) February 19, 2021
LIGHTS. OUT. @tai_walker | #TrueToTheBlue pic.twitter.com/Vb8Inj65bY
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) August 1, 2020
FanGraphs: Taijuan Walker Talks Pitching.
11 comments:
Great - I feel this team is much closer to complete now. Walker has been effective, and should be an asset to this team.
Nice going! I am now satisfied with what the Mets have going into the season.
Bob W
I am very excited about this signing, now go get Odorizzi as well. This season every team will need an extra starter so not to over use the arms coming off only a 60 game season last year. I think the Rays have a great idea and went ahead and got themselves a bunch of starters for this reason as well.
Hopefully this Walker signing is real and we sign Odorizzi will be even grander, so if we lose out on Stroman and Synndergarrd next free agency period, we will still have a pretty good rotation going forward.
DeGrom
Carrasco
Odorizzi
Walker
Peterson/ Szapucki
Two great observations Zozo. First, the need for depth after last year's 60 game season and for next year with the pending free agents.
John
I think most teams have spent their allotment of offseason money, so we may even be able to get him a bitter cheaper than he probably was requesting at the beginning of the offseason?
Looks like it Zozo - 2 years $20M
Odorizzi on top of Walker would put them over the limit unless they dumped more salary. So I don't see that happening.
Remember, they need to keep cap room for mid year acquisition(s).
Bob W, they may be set - I just wonder if they can squeeze in another reliever and maintain flexibility
What is the expression? "Good things come to all who wait"? Well, the waiting is over, the rotation is full, Spring Training is underway and it's time to play ball.
With some of these other pitchers - McWilliams, Lucchesi, Yamamoto, etc., it seems like one of them will win the long man job in the spring. I can see one (or more?) of them being used for a 3 or 4 inning hold a couple times a week. Lucchesi may have the inside track as the lefty.
Hopefully, Nimmo and Smith are spending hours and hours upgrading their defense in center and left, respectively.
A necessary signing.
There are red flags with Walker, of course, an inability to stay healthy is the biggest. But Mets absolutely needed another starter.
They are not getting Ororizzi.
Need to add one more legit reliever to the pen and we're good to go.
Jimmy
I agree with that, Tom. Adding Jeffress would be icing. However, they will need to find innings for guys like Lucchesi, Gsellman, etc who are now not going to make the rotation initially.
Another starter may make it difficult to find work for all of them in a 5-day rotation. The depth they have now in the majors and minors should carry them as far as starts.
Bob W
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