Latest on the Yankees, Christian Walker

The Yankees’ interest in Christian Walker was initially reported last month, but wasn’t until Juan Soto signed with the Mets that the Yankees were apparently able to devote more attention to other position player targets. The change in focus apparently happened rather quickly, as the New York Post’s Joel Sherman writes that the Yankees “renewed contract talks” with Walker’s camp on Sunday night, at the same time news of the record 765 contract broke Soto’s million dollars.

While the launch and blockbuster markets aren’t exactly the same, the Bombers’ eight-year, $218 million megadeal with Massimo Fritto it’s clear evidence that New York was able to quickly move on to the rest of its target list with Soto off the board. Help at first base and help in the lineup in general are both needs, and signing Walker would solve both problems in one fell swoop.

Fried’s deal adds another wrinkle to the Yankees’ pursuit of Walker, or any other free agent who has turned down a qualifying offer. Because New York was a luxury tax payer in 2024, and because Fried rejected the Braves’ QO, the Yankees had to give up $1 million in international bonus pool, as well as their second- and fifth-highest picks in the 2025 draft for for complete the signature. Inking Walker to a deal would cost the Yankees another $1 million in international pool funds, as well as two more draft picks: the third and sixth highest picks.

As much of a success as this may be to New York’s 2025 draft plans, Brian Cashman’s front office may see it as a necessary cost to capitalize on the team’s window of contention. Fried adds another top-notch arm to pair with Gerrit Cole on top of a deep Yankee rotation, Aaron judge he’s still probably the best hitter in the sport, Giancarlo Stanton has a resurgent 2024 season and a younger core of Jazz Chisholm Jr., Austin Wells, Antonio Volpeand (New York hopes) Jasson Dominguez everyone can contribute both now and in the future.

Walker would represent another great piece of this puzzle, bringing both elite first base defense and a strong bat. Walker will turn 34 in March but has shown no signs of slowing down, plus his age could be a feature and not a bug in terms of the Yankees’ needs. Jon Morosi of MLB Network said that a short-term contract might be more preferable for the Yankees than a longer deal for a younger first base option, which is why Morosi notes that Walker “is more of a priority for the Yankees who Pietro Alonso would be.”