Neil Walker

[Burgh Sports Rule]

I don't want to base my comments on the GREAT game that he had tonight.

I am speaking overall, about his entire body of work. In my mind, Neil Walker has been showing just how good he is & more importantly, just how consistent that he is, as a player for the Pirates. I think Neil Walker is a key part of the Pirates present & future hopes, for a contending team.

It is time to begin Serious talks about an extension with Walker, getting it done & locking him up for another 5 or 6yrs.

In my eyes, Neil Walker is now a proven part of the Pirates core. Lock him up!

Just my opinion...

Burgh

 

[thecrow124]

I agree and I disagree. He is deserving of a contract, his performance over the last 2 years proves that.
However, we have him in a cost controlled situation until after he turns 31. He would likely not give up any free agency years for cheap, so is likely looking for a contract in the Andrew McCutchen range. At his current production, he is also very likely worth that contract, it would probably even be a team friendly deal, so he could legitimately ask for more.
The problem is, can the Pirates afford to pay 2 players that kind of money and still put a competitive team on the field. Right now, the answer would be yes, but years 4-6 on those deals would be very hard since that also projects to be when Cole, Taillon, Heredia and the likes start to become expensive.
In essence, he is very much deserving and very much worth a contract extention, but the Pirates may not be able to afford to extend him.

 

[element1286]

Yea, I don't know, you obviously can't pay him more than McCutchen, but a deal similar is definsible. It would probably be the market rate for him, but I don't see any good going year to year with him, or any player for that matter.

I could see a 5 year 35-40 million dollar deal, with some option years at the end as being fair for both sides. Or even just cover arbitration and do a three year deal.

 

[pixburgher66]

When you start looking at the stats it's pretty eye opening. Especially compared to other 2B. His OPS is .811, tied for most HRs amongst NL 2B top 3 in RBIs in that group too. He's just a smidge better than Phillips, and really only behind NYM Murray in that group. A smidge behind Aaron Hill in AVG, SLG, OPS.