Pirates/MLB
Pittsburgh Pirates
Walker, Pirates headed towards a Divorce
Pirates GM Neal Huntington is determined to trade Neil Walker before the start of the season, multiple sources tell Inside Pittsburgh Sports. A popular figure in the clubhouse, the Pirates’ brass feel trading Walker is a move that has to made prior to the start of spring training.
The Pirates, Walker headed towards a divorce is also well known to those on the business side of the organization.
During the Pirates most recent internal meeting, a primary topic of discussion centered around the Pirates’ preliminary plans to market the 2016 season and which players would be at the center of Pirates marketing campaign, part of promotional schedule, ect.
When Walker’s name was brought up the message was clear.
To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Photo: David Hague
Happ to Toronto. I thought he got a fair deal.
Like him but he’s an average player who will have major streaks. Stupid arbitration process drives up the price on players like him where most people don’t keep them after that time
Walker is worth $10 million to in the MLB. That is what a good hitter goes for nowadays. That being said I’d still sell him now. The outfield is set. I’m fine with Harrison at 3rd, Mercer at SS, Kang at 2nd. Our depth is taking a major hit, but the starters are still fine and we got some young pups to step up and hopefully provide another bat. Also trusts management to find solid bench guys and maybe a buy low bat somewhere. I’d trade Alvarez though before Walker. IF the team was willing to move Walker to 1b… Read more »
Sean Rodriguez would only be a slight downgrade as an everyday player compared to Neil Walker. He’s incredibly replaceable.
And cheaper. Which is what is most important.
Rodriguez would get exposed as everyday guy. Also his bat is
weak as is
I do like him as a bench guy but he doesn’t replace walker
I agree with Benny – they can miss the playoffs by losing the play-in game without Walker. It doesn’t matter because their goal will be better fulfilled without him. And that goal isn’t winning a world series.
Just for fun, let’s address the end of this where Walker is a Pirate next season and then he walks and we get nothing? I am all for win now, I just also don’t believe Walker makes or breaks this team as much as say a cutch or Cole does. I would rather get something now while his value is high than just a comp pick in the draft when he leaves on his own.
Walker usually has no contribution with his bat in Sept and Oct as it is. Losing him for the possible one game playoff makes absolutely no difference.
Its exactly what they should do and not from a Benz “trust the process” crap. He is 31, had his first “healthy” season last year, but is in no way worth 10 million. Use him to restock the farm and go into the season with Hansen as the starter until Kang gets healthy, then move j hay from 3B, to 2B if Hansen does not work out. If he does then you have J hay back to super utility.
While I agree completely on Walker I’m not sure simply handing it to Hansen or Harrison is the best coarse of action either. I don’t think Hanson is ready just yet and I’ve never been a fan of Harrison as an everyday player, his value is in his versility not his ability. End result I hope they move Walker and then acquire a less expensive ML ready stop gap to fill the void until Kang is fully healthy allowing Hansen/Harrison to be the backup plans not the 1st options.
i’m a fan of walker. there aren’t too many 2nd basemen who will hit .275 with 20 homers who are steady in the field. this isn’t good.
Walker has hit 20+ homers once, he last hit over .271 in 2012. He has minimal range at 2B. If he was from honkeytonk, Alabama, no one would care.
Go after Schoop in return from the orioles if thats possible.
Pirates are killing it today. This Morse – Goebbert platoon is going to f’ing RAKE! #bucn