MLB rumors: Christian Walker attracts curiosity from Yankees, others on the lookout for first-base assist in free company

Main League Baseball’s offseason continues onward on Monday. With it, so too does the rumor mill. Beneath, CBS Sports activities has compiled all of the day’s most notable strikes, information, and notes. Scroll slowly with us, will not you?

Walker drawing curiosity from Yankees, others

Rely the Yankees among the many groups with curiosity in free-agent first baseman Christian Walker, in keeping with USA At the moment. Nightengale notes that at the least 5 different golf equipment are additionally occupied with Walker, together with the incumbent Diamondbacks and Nationals. (The Mets may additionally present curiosity, relying on what occurs with Pete Alonso.) The Yankees specifically need to substitute Anthony Rizzo, who turned a free agent on the finish of the season. 

Christian Walker

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CBS Sports activities just lately ranked Walker because the 18th-best free agent accessible. (Do be aware these rankings are primarily based partly on anticipated AAV, which means that Walker’s profile labored in opposition to him rating greater regardless of good manufacturing.) This is what we wrote:

Over the previous 5 offseasons, there’s been precisely one righty-hitting first baseman who signed a contract longer than two years: José Abreu with the Houston Astros. The much less written about how that deal aged the higher. Pete Alonso ought to make it two this offseason; can Walker get the depend to a few? We’re skeptical, although it isn’t an indictment of his expertise. Walker is coming off an amazing three-year run throughout which he displayed each on-base and slugging capabilities. It is also to not belittle his story — bear in mind, that is somebody who was claimed off waivers 3 times in a single month in 2017. Our pessimism stems from Walker’s encroaching thirty fourth birthday. Groups have not proven an inclination to decide to right-right first basemen with regularity. We now have no cause to imagine Walker might be an exception. 

Walker, 33, has posted an OPS+ of 120 or higher in every of the final three seasons.

Braves land Allen

The Braves have acquired infield gloveman Nick Allen from the Athletics, the crew introduced Monday. Allen, 26, shouldn’t be a lot of a hitter (profession .537 OPS), although he’s a standout defender on the three non-first infield positions. He’ll step in as Atlanta’s backup infielder behind Ozzie Albies at second, Orlando Arcia at brief, and Austin Riley at third. 

The A’s acquired hard-throwing Single-A reliever Jared Johnson within the commerce. The 23-year-old struck out 61 batters in 52 innings in 2024.