NL West Notes: Walker, D’Backs, Winn, Amador, Rockies

There hasn’t been “an excessive amount of” speak between Christian Walker’s representatives and the Diamondbacks a few contract extension, although the primary baseman instructed Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that he “loves” taking part in for the staff.  Nevertheless, Walker can also be within the thought of testing free company subsequent winter after the common-or-garden beginnings of his profession, as he bounced round to a number of groups and didn’t develop into an actual huge league common till 2019, his third season in Arizona.  “To look again, it’s a way of accomplishment.  Like, wow, we’ve created this leverage; it’s a factor now,” Walker mentioned.  “We’ve got the ball in our courtroom.  It hasn’t at all times felt that means….I believe it’s motivating to maintain wanting to move in that path.”

Walker will probably be 34 on Opening Day 2025, so hitting the market at one thing of a complicated age is prone to restrict his possibilities at an excessively prolonged contract.  He’s a primary base-only participant, but with the advantage of being baseball’s finest defensive first baseman, because the winner of the final two Fielding Bible Awards and Gold Gloves on the place.  To go together with his excellent glove, Walker has additionally hit .253/.332/.463 with 115 homers over 2619 plate appearances because the begin of the 2019 season, translating to a 112 wRC+.  (Over the past two seasons particularly, Walker has 69 homers and a 112 wRC+.)

Will probably be fascinating to see if the D’Backs may work out a solution to re-sign Walker, because the staff is projected for a membership document $143MM payroll heading into 2024, however an honest chunk of cash is coming off the books subsequent offseason.  This might present a gap for a reunion between the D’Backs and the underrated first baseman, if an extension isn’t reached earlier than Walker even will get to free company.

Extra from across the NL West…

Keaton Winn’s sore proper elbow has “calmed down” after a bout of nerve irritation, the Giants rookie instructed reporters (together with Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle).  Winn didn’t want a cortisone shot and has been cleared to start out throwing once more, so he believes he’ll have loads of time to ramp up in time for Opening Day.  The 26-year-old right-hander made his MLB debut in 2023, and is considered one of a number of younger starters the Giants are relying on by means of at the least the early a part of the season earlier than Alex Cobb and Robbie Ray are slated to return from the injured record.
Newly-signed Padres reliever Yuki Matsui is day-to-day with again spasms, supervisor Mike Shildt instructed reporters from 97.3 The Fan (X hyperlink) and different media shops.  The issue doesn’t look like too critical, however Shildt mentioned the staff is simply taking a precautionary measure this early in camp.  After an excellent profession in Japan, Matsui made the leap to the majors this winter, signing with the Padres to an curiously structured five-year deal that can pay the left-hander $28MM in assured cash.
Prime Rockies prospect Adael Amador had an injury-shortened 2023 season and has solely performed 10 video games on the Double-A stage, so it would nonetheless be some time earlier than we see Amador within the Present.  Nevertheless, his growth this season is not going to solely hasten his personal potential path to the majors, but when Amador performs effectively, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Publish feels it would make the Rox extra open to buying and selling Brendan Rodgers to clear room at second base.  It wasn’t way back that Rodgers was additionally seen as one thing of a constructing block in Colorado, although Rodgers performed in solely 46 video games final season resulting from shoulder surgical procedure and didn’t hit effectively after returning to motion.  Since Rodgers is just beneath staff management by means of the 2025 season, there was some sense that Amador is already considered because the long-term substitute, and the Rockies have explored dealing Rodgers up to now.  After all, this all may hinge on how effectively Rodgers performs within the early a part of the 2024 marketing campaign and whether or not or not he can rebuild his inventory both as a commerce chip or as a part of Colorado’s future plans.