Yankees predicted to nab $72M slugger from Diamondbacks in free agency blockbuster

The 2024 play whitethorn person been a monolithic blown accidental for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In 2023, the Diamondbacks made a World Series tally retired of nowhere, winning conscionable 84 regular play games but getting blistery successful the playoffs. However, successful 2024, they had a overmuch amended team, including the highest-scoring discourtesy successful the league, but missed the playoffs altogether.

That discourtesy could instrumentality a large deed successful escaped bureau if its cleanup hitter walks successful escaped agency. And unfortunately, the D-Backs haven't often been known for locking their seasoned players successful connected semipermanent contracts.

First baseman Christian Walker, 1 of the champion two-way stars astatine the position, is 1 of the astir coveted bats connected the unfastened marketplace this winter. And unluckily for Arizona, 1 of the highest-spending teams successful the crippled is successful hopeless request of a archetypal baseman. 

On Friday, Andy McCullough of The Athletic predicted that Walker would sign with the New York Yankees, who are present the defending American League champions. Recently, Jim Bowden of the aforesaid work projected that Walker would get a three-year, $72 cardinal contract.

"Let’s marque this clear: The precedence for the Yankees is Juan Soto. (But) if Soto signs elsewhere, Hal Steinbrenner volition reallocate those resources to amended the lineup and the rotation," McCullough said.

"The smoothest acceptable would impact signing Walker, a softly accordant performer who would beryllium a important upgrade implicit Anthony Rizzo some with his bat and with his glove."

Walker, 33, has been a revelation the past 3 years with Arizona, totaling 95 location runs, 11.4 WAR, and 3 Gold Gloves. He's older than astir free-agent presumption players, truthful helium won't needfully motion a semipermanent deal, but teams similar New York that are successful win-now mode are immense threats to pilfer him from the D-Backs.

At this point, it would astir beryllium a astonishment if Walker didn't motion with the Yankees. So galore lines link the 2 that it feels similar some sides whitethorn beryllium destined for each other. But until ink is enactment to paper, 1 tin ne'er beryllium definite these days astir immoderate escaped agent's adjacent destination.

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