In what is still the early stages of MLB free agency, a “pretty good” market is developing for second baseman Neil Walker, an industry source told Inside Pittsburgh Sports on Tuesday evening.

Walker, 32, made $17.20 million last season and amassed a 2.1 FWAR with the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers, hitting .265/.362/.439 with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs.

As many as seven teams have shown interest in Walker per a source, with the Mets, Brewers, Angels, Blue Jays [hide] and Pirates among the group.

While destined to take a paycut from his $17 million a year salary, there is confidence in the Walker camp that his market could be evolving as high as the $12 million a season range.

Pittsburgh reached out to Walker’s agent on the first day of free agency in what a source described to gauge any interest in a possible return and if there was any shot at repairing the relationship.

The relationship between the Pirates front office and Walker was strained near the end of his tenure, most notably between the Walker camp and Pirates President Frank Coonelly.

With uncertainty surrounding Jung Ho Kang who was just released from his Dominican Republic team after hitting .143 and striking out 31 times in 24 games, the Pirates internally have weighed making a serious offer to Walker, believed to be in the $8 million range, but don’t get your hopes up on a reunion.[/hide]