Grading the Phillies 4 biggest offseason moves so far
By Tim Boyle
2) Phillies signing of Taijuan Walker could end up as a great steal
Pulling Taijuan Walker into the rotation from free agency might not grab the same headlines as signing Turner did. However, with Walker having a lot in common with Phillies ace Zack Wheeler, it’s hard to not get at least a little excited about this move.
Walker was 12-5 with a 3.49 ERA with the New York Mets last season. Equally as important, he has stayed healthy for two consecutive seasons. He did collapse at the end of 2021, but looked much more consistent in 2022 when his ERA was almost a full run lower.
For years, several teams have been waiting for Walker to piece it all together. He has been traded several times, first going from the Seattle Mariners to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a deal that also included ex-Phillies second baseman, Jean Segura. Walker fits the mold of many players his age. It’s rare we get a Clayton Kershaw who is at the top of his game early on. Many take until they reach around 30-years-old much like Wheeler has.
One criticism we can have of this deal is the amount the Phillies are paying per season. The four years fits well but at $18 million it does look steep.
Unless you’re paying the bill, though, how much pain does it really cause you? Walker should be a solid number three or four, depending on how Ranger Suarez pitches.
Taijuan Walker signing grade: B