As the offseason got deeper and teams started preparing for spring training, not only pitcher Taijuan Walker remained unemployed: he didn’t even have contract offers. Teams refused to spend and focused on internal solutions, except the New York Mets.
The Mets swung and missed on Trevor Bauer, so they pivoted to Walker as the best starter available in free agency. The righty had a good 2020, with a 2.70 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings, so the lack of interest was somewhat surprising.
The two-year, $20 million offer from the Mets was the only one Walker received, and it has been the steal of the offseason so far.