MLB Trade Rumors: Pirates open to trading Neil Walker

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been discussing trading second baseman Neil Walker with multiple teams, including the Baltimore Orioles. 

The Pirates and Orioles were trade partners last season when the Pirates traded outfielder Travis Snider to the Orioles. This off-season, they’re talking to each other again. This time, it’s about Pirates second baseman Neil Walker. Roch Kubatko of MASN discusses why the Orioles are interested in trading for Walker when they already have second base occupied by Jonathan Schoop.

"Walker, 30, is defensively challenged, but he’s played second and third base in the majors and some scouts believe he could transition to first, where he appeared in 10 games in the minors. The Orioles also could use him as a switch-hitting designated hitter. – MASN Orioles"

The Pirates will likely be seeking young pitching in return for Walker. That could include starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez, who is up for arbitration. It could be a good deal for both sides. The Pirates get a relatively cheap starting pitcher who has shown flashes of being a middle of the rotation starter and the Orioles get a solid switch-hitter who could help the top of their lineup.

The Orioles interest in Neil Walker is a bit intriguing. If they’re interested in Walker to play first base (which is likely the case), why not go after his teammate Pedro Alvarez? The Pirates are likely going to move on from Alvarez after he was moved to first base and didn’t even play in their wild card play-in game. They are both going to cost about $10,000,000 next season.

Neil Walker does have versatility on his side. He could play first base primarily and give rest to Schoop at second. He has some experience at third base and could even spell Manny Machado short-term (though he’s not a long-term option there). Walker had a .269 batting average in 2015. He also had an on-base percentage of .328 and a slugging percentage of .427.