Walker

[totdprods]

13 minutes ago, arch stanton said:

Walker is basically bizarro-Cowart. A bat first switch hitting infielder. Could likely take Valbuena's job if given the chance.

He's good insurance if Cozart, Kinsler, Pujols, or Valbuena get hurt. With how old those guys are, it's likely one misses some time. If two go down at the same time, the offense could take quite a hit fast.

Additionally, as a switch-hitter, he's been pretty solid against both LHP and RHP. To me that's important because before last year, Cozart wasn't very good against RHP (but decent against LHP) and in 2017, Kinsler really struggled against RHP. Valbuena obviously can't hit LHP and Ohtani could have trouble too. So Walker gives you an option to spot Ohtani/Valbuena if either really struggle against LHP, and he gives you a platoon option if either Kinsler or Cozart can't hit RHP. 

And if anyone gets hurt, Walker slides in and you bring up Cowart to replace him on the bench and come in as a defensive replacement.

[totdprods]

I'm as excited as any by how good Walsh has looked this spring or Jose Fernandez' potential, but literally anyone can look good in ST.

Remember a couple springs back when Daniel Nava slashed .419/.545/.698/1.243 with 7 XBH in 43 AB and Gentry slashed .321/.379/.415 in 22 games and Eppler looked like he had solved LF? Remember when injuries hit and our middle infield was Brendan Ryan and Gregorio Petit? Remember when we thought Jefry Marte would bump Escobar and be our starting 3B in '17, popping 25-30 HRs?

I'm fine with digging for diamonds in the rough with minor league FAs, but if Walker can be had on a bargain contract, it far outweighs the risk of having injuries and regression equal a 20 game stretch in June with a starting IF of Cowart at 3B, .700 OPS Cozart at SS, 7th org Colin Walsh at 2B, and .700 OPS Pujols/Valbuena at 1B. Things could get ugly fast. We built this team to win now, no sense skimping on a bench UT IF if the price is right.

[Rico]

I think several front offices are having similar discussions on Walker and someone is going to talk themselves into offering him a decent contract.

[DMVol]

12 hours ago, arch stanton said:

Why wouldn't you? After this season both Kinsler and Valbeuna could be gone giving him a viable path to 500 PAs if he's willing to be the utility man this year

 

11 hours ago, totdprods said:

He isn't signing those though is he? If it drives his costs down or allows you to buy a perfectly reasonable infielder, something we'll possibly still need next year, wouldn't it make sense to try and get a bargain now? 

Somewhere between Todd Frazier's 2/$18m and Eduardo Nunez' 2/$8m deal is a fair comp and offer. They're all useful players. 

I imagine the cold market for vets continues next year, but it could also shoot back up. May as well snag a deal now.

Doesn’t seem to be happening for him...but we’ll see...

[Vlad27Trout27]

IF we can some how get rid of No-Buena, than i am all for it. 

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

22 hours ago, ThomasSutpen said:

Pujols will be in the middle of the Angels order for the next 5 years and Neil Walker has been deemed not good enough to guarantee a 40 man spot to.

This is Pujols 7th season he has 3 more after this year.

[Mark68]

On 3/6/2018 at 11:03 AM, Dochalo said:

If we're going cheap, I'd rather have Stephen Drew.  Right now, he'd probably take a minor league deal.   He's a known quantity and hits RHers well.  

Walsh is more interesting though.  It's fun to see what Billy's scrappers can do.