Report: Mets discussed extension in 3-year, $40M range with Walker
New York Mets second baseman Neil Walker accepted a $17.2-million qualifying offer to return to the club in November, but the 31-year-old reportedly almost became an even richer man during the offseason.
The Mets made several extension proposals to Walker, including a three-year offer in the range of $40 million, sources told Newsday's Marc Carig.
An agreement in that range would be similar to the three-year, $37.5-million free-agent contract Daniel Murphy signed with the Washington Nationals prior to the 2016 season.
| PLAYER | PA | HR | RBI | OPS | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Murphy (2015) | 538 | 14 | 73 | .770 | 2.5 |
| Neil Walker (2016) | 458 | 23 | 55 | .823 | 3.7 |
Carig spoke with Walker at spring camp Wednesday, where the infielder confirmed he had discussed an extension with the Mets front office during the offseason.
Although an agreement hasn't been reached yet, Carig said something could be completed during the spring.
Walker excelled during his first season in the Big Apple after being acquired in a December 2015 trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, tying his career high in homers (23), driving in 55 runs, and posting the highest OPS (.823) of his eight-year career.
The 2014 Silver Slugger award winner owns a .273/.339/.436 career slash line with 116 home runs and 473 RBIs.