The New York Yankees have several significant gaps to fill this offseason, and one of the most pressing is at first base, following the departure of veteran Anthony Rizzo in free agency.
Among the top free agent options for first base, New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso and Arizona Diamondbacks veteran Christian Walker stand out. Alonso is expected to secure a six-year, $174 million deal, while Walker is projected for a three-year, $66 million contract.
FanSided’s Jacob Mountz recently advocated for the Yankees to sign Walker, highlighting several reasons why he’d be a great fit. “Right now, it seems the Yankees are very likely to sign Christian Walker,” Mountz wrote. “Walker is a top defender at first, has 30+ home run potential, and most importantly, won’t break the bank.”
In 2024, Walker posted a .251/.335/.468/.803 slash line with 26 home runs in 479 at-bats, despite battling injuries. Over the previous two seasons, he hit 36 and 33 home runs, respectively. Defensively, Walker is elite, having won three consecutive Gold Gloves at first base.
Walker is an ideal choice for the Yankees, offering affordability along with exceptional defense, which manager Aaron Boone needs.
Beyond his defensive prowess, Walker provides solid offensive production with the potential for 30-plus home runs and impressive OPS numbers. While his age may be a consideration, it hasn’t deterred the Yankees from pursuing free agents in the past, making him a strong candidate to fill their first base need.
