Report: Mets agree to 2-year, $20M deal with Taijuan Walker
The New York Mets agreed to a two-year, $20-million deal with free-agent right-hander Taijuan Walker, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
The deal, which is pending a physical, includes a player option for a third year.
Walker gets $10M in 2021, $7M in 2022. 2023 player option that starts at $6M with escalators can get to $8.5M or $3M buyout on the player option. #Mets All of this is pending a physical.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 19, 2021
Walker provides the Mets with another starting option for the rotation, joining Jacob deGrom, Carlos Carrasco, Marcus Stroman, David Peterson, and Joey Lucchesi. Noah Syndergaard is also expected to return this summer after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Walker had a bounce-back campaign in 2020 after making four combined starts the two seasons prior due to injuries, including Tommy John surgery in April 2018.
The Louisiana native was 4-3 with a 2.70 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 53 1/3 innings for the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays last season.
Walker is the latest acquisition by the Mets, who have been busy this offseason.
New York has been involved in six trades, including deals that brought in Lindor, Carrasco, and Lucchesi. They've also signed numerous free agents, such as James McCann, Trevor May, Kevin Pillar, and Jonathan Villar, among others.