The Arizona Diamondbacks have performed quite well this season. The team owns a 79-62 record and hold the second National League Wild Card spot as they continue their quest to defend their pennant from last fall.
This coming offseason, one of their key pieces is set to enter free agency. First baseman Christian Walker is having a strong season, hitting .254 with 23 home runs, 72 RBI, and an .809 OPS.
Though he'll become a free agent, Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report believes Arizona will be able to re-sign him.
"The 33-year-old seems like a strong candidate to be re-signed given his importance to the D-Backs' success," Reuter wrote. "The two-year, $40 million deal that Anthony Rizzo signed with the New York Yankees prior to the 2023 season is a reasonable expectation for earning power given his age and production."
Arizona would be wise to keep Walker around. He played a key role in them getting to the World Series last October.
For his career, the 33-year-old has a .250 average, 144 home runs, 431 RBI, and a .794 OPS. As Reuter mentioned, a deal similar to the one Rizzo signed would make sense for the slugger.
He's quietly having a very strong season and will be one of the most underrated free agents on the market, so it will be interesting to see what he'll be able to get.
His market should be competitive, with several teams in need of a first baseman bidding for his services. But he shouldn't be too expensive, meaning Arizona will have a good chance at keeping him around.
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