For the first time in a few years, the Yankees have a vacancy at first base after declining a club option on Anthony Rizzo.
Rizzo gave the Yanks a steadying presence, delivering his patented Gold Glove-caliber defense and at times the offensive numbers that helped the Chicago Cubs win the 2016 World Series.
Rizzo’s last couple of seasons have been marred by injuries, and with him at 35 years old, the Yankees felt this was the time to explore their options. While there’s a chance Rizzo could be back, there are a number of free agent first basemen who could fill the void left in the infield.
There’s the upper echelon of free agents like Pete Alonso, and then there are older vets like Carlos Santana, Paul Goldschmidt and Justin Turner. But there’s also Christian Walker, who spent the last three seasons becoming one of the best at his position with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Yankees often want their first basemen to be good defenders. We saw that with Don Mattingly, Tino Martinez, Mark Teixeira and Rizzo over the last 30 years. And with an infield defense that has question marks at other positions, it may be more imperative that the next Yankees first baseman can bail out Anthony Volpe, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and whoever is manning second/third base.
So who can give New York that defense and offensive pop? Walker might be the best option.
PROS
Walker is a quintessential late bloomer. After having a tough time getting a regular chance early on in his career with the Orioles and the Diamondbacks — the latter thanks to Paul Goldschmidt — 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 would hit at least 26 homers in three of the next five seasons — eclipsing 30 twice — while driving in at least 80 runs and having an OPS of more than .800.
The only seasons he didn’t reach those numbers were the 2020 COVID-shortened season, and 2021 — when an oblique injury put him on the shelf twice.
In his three-plus seasons in the Bronx, Rizzo has only come close to Walker’s numbers once. That was in 2022, when he smashed 32 homers, drove in 75 runs, and had an OPS of .817. Of course, Rizzo’s injuries hampered him over the last two seasons — he appeared in fewer than 100 games both years — but Walker’s offensive consistency is an immediate upgrade over Rizzo and any other free agent at his position not named Alonso.
Shifting to the defensive side, Walker is arguably the best at his position. He has won the Gold Glove award in three straight seasons and led the NL with 13 outs above average in 2024. He also committed just two errors.
Offense? Check.
Defense? Check.
Can’t go wrong with bringing in Walker if you’re the Yankees.
CONS
The obvious con would be the money.
With the Yankees 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 declined the Diamondbacks’ qualifying offer of $21.05 million for the 2025 season, so he’ll likely ask for more than that, which is a price the Yankees may not be willing to pay if Soto returns.
Soto aside, Arizona extending Walker an offer means that the team that signs him will have to relinquish a draft pick to the Diamondbacks. Now, I don’t worry too much into these draft picks if the player is worth it, and Walker is, but it’s something that needs to be considered if you’re GM Brian Cashman and the rest of the Yankees brass.
You also have to take Walker’s age into account. He’s just two years younger than Rizzo, and while he doesn’t have the service time as the left-handed slugger, injuries can potentially pop up more frequently. This past season, Walker missed a month with an oblique injury, the same one that derailed his 2021 campaign.
Walker has played at least 130 games in the last three seasons, though.
And finally, Walker is a right-handed bat, which can throw off the balance of the lineup. With the futures of Soto, Rizzo, and Alex Verdugo unknown, the only left-handed starters right now are Chisholm and catcher Austin Wells. If the Yanks bring in Walker they’ll need more than just Jasson Dominguez to offset the right-handers.
VERDICT
Casual baseball fans may not know Walker, but he’s truly one of the best first basemen in MLB and will make any team that signs him better. Although 2024 saw his offensive numbers dip due to injury, he’s just one season removed from his best year as a major leaguer.
If Walker can stay healthy, his offensive potential and his Gold Glove will give the Yankees exactly what they need out of first base, even though he doesn’t bat left-handed.
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