Mets' Neil Walker: No guarantee to receive qualifying offer

Walker is set to receive a qualifying offer of $17.2 million this offseason, which could cause the Mets to decline making the offer at all if they have any concerns about his back, the NY Post reports.

Analysis:

Walker, who underwent back surgery Sept. 9 to address a herniated disk, ably filled the Mets' second base spot, albeit not at the level of production Daniel Murphy gave the Nats this year. With Dilson Herrera traded to Cincinnati, second base within the organization has no obvious successor to Walker. If he does not return though, the Mets could go with some combination of T.J Rivera, Jose Reyes and possibly Gavin Cecchini to fill the position.