Neil Walker: 14 HR, .265/.362/.439, 0 SB, 114 wRC+, 2.1 fWAR
One year, $4 million, up to $500,000 in plate appearance-related incentives
The Yankees continued adding to their infield, bringing in a strong bat in Neil Walker for just $4 million, or up to $4.5 million if he can crack 500 plate appearances. Walker's signing means that he'll likely replace Starlin Castro as the starting second baseman, with the newly acquired Brandon Drury sliding over to third base and rookies Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar beginning the season at AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre. However, another rookie, Tyler Wade, could challenge Walker for a starting spot. Walker is a very competent hitter, coming off a season in which he slashed .265/.362/.439 with 14 home runs in 111 games, good for a 114 wRC+ and showing both on-base ability and power. A year prior, in 2016, he had a career year, slashing .282/.347/.476 with 23 home runs, enough for a 122 wRC+ and a career high 3.7 fWAR. His power should play up in Yankee Stadium, plus he should see more pitches to hit with guys like Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gary Sanchez in the lineup around him, so the 32 year old should have another good year this year. For his career, the Pittsburgh area native has 130 home runs, a .272/.341/.437 slash line, 29 stolen bases, and 21.1 fWAR over 1060 games.
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