*Photo from the Toronto Star*
Last season, the New York Mets did not have a whole lot of starting pitching depth. This time around, we can't really say that about them anymore. The Mets have signed RHP Taijuan Walker to a two year, $20 million deal, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. There is a player option for the 2023 season that starts at $6 million, and can get to $8.5 million with a $3 million buyout if all incentives in Walker's contract are reached. The Mets have confirmed the deal.
Walker spent the 2020 season with the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays, with a 4-3 record with a 2.70 ERA, striking out 50 hitters in 53 1/3 innings pitched over 11 starts, 5 with Seattle, and 6 with Toronto. In his 8 major league seasons, Walker has a 35-34 record with a 3.84 ERA, throwing 581 2/3 innings over 108 appearances, with all but 3 being starts. Walker has spent time with the Mariners, Blue Jays, and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Mets manager Luis Rojas talked about bringing a pitcher like Walker on board, saying that it is "Just tremendous. You talk about depth, and depth in every aspect of the game, whether it’s starting pitching, whether it’s bullpen or the position players, it’s always a luxury. A guy like Walker, he just makes your rotation so strong when you can add him."
Walker, who was selected in the first round, with the 43rd overall pick by the Mariners in the 2010 draft, is a reliable middle or back end rotation starter and is rather efficient. Walker's biggest problem has been durability, as he has dealt with injuries, most recently Tommy John Surgery that kept him out for all but one start in 2019. He also only made 3 starts in 2018 due to injury.
Rojas also addressed the plan for a possible rotation, saying that "We still haven’t committed to a plan there. We like our depth there. Right now, we have some names there that we’re looking forward to seeing in action. Yes, they did have a shorter season, but once we get to a point of ramping up and getting into the regular season, I know we're going to start talking about what’s happening and how the season’s developing."
The Mets have done a complete overhaul of their pitching depth this offseason to make it more reliable and versatile. Walker joins a starting pitching room consisting of Jacob Degrom, Marcus Stroman, Carlos Carrasco, the currently injured Noah Syndergaard, Joey Lucchesi, David Peterson, Jordan Yamamoto, Sean Reid-Foley, and more. The Mets have also signed free agents Jonathan Villar, James McCann, Kevin Pillar, and Trevor May, and picked up superstar Francisco Lindor in a trade that also brought in Carrasco.
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