Talking about Neil Walker with you guys in here

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

If Zobrist was a switch-hitting 2Bman with minor pop and a better glove than Muffy, so too is the Pirates' Neil Walker, only he's younger, not quite as a good an on-baseman, doesn't come with a big commitment (arb-eligible and FA to be in 2017), and not as versatile, that we know yet. Like Zobrist, he also wears #18.

The Pirates seem practically like motivated sellers, according to recent press.

Pirates notebook: Source says 'zero chance' Walker gets contract extension NASHVILLE, Tenn. — According to an industry source, there is “zero chance” second baseman Neil Walker will get any sort of contract extension offer. His final contract with the Pirates will be resolved through the arbitration process, unless he is traded in the next few weeks. Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said he is confident the Pirates can quickly come up with a replacement if Walker is dealt. “Whenever you consider moving a player — any player, speaking generically — you do think about what you have internally to back-fill for that player,” Huntington said Monday. “Josh (Harrison) has shown more than enough ability to play second and third. (Jung Ho) Kang has shown the ability to play third and short. Jordy (Mercer) can bounce all over the infield. And there's the free agent (and) trade markets. So, we feel comfortable in our ability to back-fill.”

[Frayed Knot]

Walker's interesting in that he's a local kid up there and is HUGELY popular because of it (and because he's pretty good).
Has never played SS so is not even an option there and would take a trade to get him. Will be FA after 2016

I've always liked him - at least while seeing him in small doses.

[Edgy MD]

Went to a Bucco game and got a Neil Walker tee-shirt. Lunchie looked at his with a shot of number 18 coming to the plate for the Pirates, and said, "Hmmm... Andy Van Slyke."

I like Walker's general consistency and reliability, as well as his being younger than 34. As consistency goes, though, he's coming off a relatively poor year, and they have Josh Harrison of the Clan of Shelby to take over.

[Centerfield]

Edgy MD wrote: I like Walker's general consistency and reliability, as well as his being younger than 34.

This. I guess it all depends what they want for 1 year of him. Nimmo? Sure. More than that is tough to commit.

I don't know. I'm kind of excited to see what Dilson Herrera can do. I don't know why but I feel like he is going to be a terrific player.

[Gwreck]

I'd almost consider waiting the year and just getting Walker as a free agent. He reminds of Murphy without the stupid mental errors and actual good defense.

[Lefty Specialist]

If they don't give up too much I'd be for this. Walker's a solid player, and it's only a year, so Herrera gets to work his way in.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

He's solid, and it makes sense, really. But I get no kick from the prospect of this guy.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Mets are considering a trade for Pirates second baseman Neil Walker.

rotoworld wrote: The Mets had their sights set on Ben Zobrist in recent days, but they are back to the drawing board after he signed with the Cubs. Walker's salary is expected to rise above $10 million in his final year of arbitration, so the Pirates have had him on the block. The shorter commitment could be attractive to the Mets, who hope to eventually have Dilson Herrera take over at the position. However, they appear hesitant to give him the job right away to begin 2016.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I do like the idea of the Mets getting a one-year guy. I don't know anything about Walker, or what the Mets would have to give up to get him, but I do think that a one-year guy is the way to go.

[Vic Sage]

By almost any metric i can find, Walker is a better player than Murphy. They're roughly the same age, with similar career plate appearances to date.

Walker's line: .270/20hr/80rbi with a .338/431 ob/slg, 113 OPS+, 17.5 oWAR and .6 dWAR
Murphy's line: .288/10hr/70rbi with a .331/424 ob/slg, 110 OPS+, 14.8 oWAR and -2.6 dWAR

Walker will strike out more, and hit for a lower average, but with more power and run production, and better defense, and is a switch-hitter. He can play 3b and 1b too, at least as well as Murphy.
That being said, i wasn't that high on Murphy either.

Walker will cost players + an arbitrated contract for 1 year, and then he'll be a FA.

So do i want a guy like this? yeah, he'd be ok for a year, allowing Herrera and Cecchini to get another year to develop. It'd be like a less defensively challenged Murphy in the lineup.
But what do i want to give up for a guy like this? Not Nimmo, no. We need young OFers in our system with high upsides. But I'm not sure what 1 year of this guy is worth.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I'd have to think Walker is worth a middling prospect, given that we'd be doing the Pirates a $10 million favor.

[Centerfield]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'd have to think Walker is worth a middling prospect, given that we'd be doing the Pirates a $10 million favor.

Do you think this is all it will take? If so I'd be all over that. But you'd have to think there would be competition to get him.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Nats, Natsurally.

[Centerfield]

Twitterverse has Niese for Walker rumors.

I don't see how that makes a lot of sense. Salaries seem like a wash.

[Vic Sage]

Centerfield wrote: Twitterverse has Niese for Walker rumors. I don't see how that makes a lot of sense. Salaries seem like a wash.

it makes sense for Pittsburgh, because if Niese pitches well, they can exercise his options for 2 more years beyond 2016. If he doesn't, then it's 1-year wash, and they have a young 2bman they want to look at instead of Walker. It really just fills holes for each team temporarily, and its not as if we'd really miss Niese all that much.

I'd be ok with this.

[Benjamin Grimm]

We may miss Niese for the first few months, before Wheeler returns, but the Mets could probably find someone else to take his place, like Bartolo Colon (who they've been talking to) or Rafael Montero, or Logan Verrett, or someone else.

[TransMonk]

I'd jump at Niese for Walker. I'm fine with Colon coming back until Wheeler is ready, too.

[Edgy MD]

Daily News reporting the Mets are closing in on a deal to acquire them some Neil Walker.

No quotes yet from Terry as to where Walker would bat.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Has John Ricco been strutting in the lobby?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Adam Rubin wrote: NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates are involved in trade talks that potentially could bring switch-hitting second baseman Neil Walker to Queens for left-hander Jonathon Niese, according to multiple reports. Walker, 30, hit .269 with 16 homers and 71 RBIs in 543 at-bats last season. He earned $8 million last season and again is eligible for arbitration. Walker is not eligible for free agency until after the 2017 season. The Mets appear to have pivoted to Walker after striking out in their attempt to land Ben Zobrist. He agreed Tuesday to a four-year, $56 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. The Los Angeles Angels reportedly also are pursuing Walker.

Walker is not eligible for free agency until after the 2017 season.

This isn't true, is it? My understanding (and Baseball Reference agrees) is that he's a free agent after 2016, not 2017.

[Guest d'Kong76]

He's incorrect *the crowd hushes and turns away* it's 2016.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Kristie Ackert @Ackert_NYDN #Mets source called to clarify. "definitely in the works, not close to being done".....I Apologize for any confusion. 3:04 PM - 9 Dec 2015

[Vic Sage]

This isn't true, is it? My understanding (and Baseball Reference agrees) is that he's a free agent after 2016, not 2017.

according to Cot's, Walker is going into his 4th and final arbitration year in 2016, and then is a FA for the 2017 season, not after it.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Sherman says this is a done deal

[Frayed Knot]

Kristie Ackert @Ackert_NYDN #Mets source called to clarify. "definitely in the works, not close to being done".....I Apologize for any confusion. 3:04 PM - 9 Dec 2015

From my point earlier, why is a Mets source calling in to clarify anything while negotiations are going on?
Negotiate first, talk about it after the fact.

[TransMonk]

Adam Rubin wrote: The Mets appear to have pivoted to Walker after striking out in their attempt to land Ben Zobrist.

I vastly prefer one year of Walker to four years of an aging Zobrist. I don't see any way that this trade would not trump signing Zobrist as the better move for the Mets both in the short term and the long.

[Gwreck]

Because it costs them a valuable starting pitcher, while Zobrist would have cost only cash? (He didn't get a qualifying offer)

[nymr83]

I like the trade in a vacuum, which is not to say it was preferable to signing a different guy

[Edgy MD]

Other starting pitchers are available inside the organization and out.

[TransMonk]

Niese is much more valuable to about 25 other teams than he is to the Mets right now. With Herrera on the horizon, I'd rather not be paying Zobrist an eight figure salary for the end of his career.