KEY POINTS
- The Phillies have added more talent to make another World Series appearance
- Taijuan Walker is expected to be inserted into starting rotation of the Phillies
- Walker’s deal comes not long after the massive signing of Trea Turner
The Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly closed the deal with starting pitcher Taijuan Walker per reports.
The 30-year-old All-Star reportedly agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.
This comes days after it was reported that both Walker and the Phillies were close to sealing a deal.
Last season, the Louisiana native went 12-5 with a 3.49 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 132 strikeouts in 157.1 innings for the New York Mets.
He has played for several teams in the last ten MLB seasons. Aside from the Mets, Walker also had stops with the Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks and Toronto Blue Jays.
The signing also provides the Phillies with a bit of relief since they could be losing several starters to free agency.
Already out are Zach Elfin and Kyle Gibson. Elfin signed a three-year, $40 million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays while Gibson agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles.
Another player in the form of Noah Syndergaard remains unsigned.
He reportedly met with the Orioles, but there remains no clarity on how the talks went per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
With the signing, Walker is expected to be inserted in the starting rotation alongside Zach Wheeler, Aaron Nola and Ranger Suarez.
Philadelphia has been making a splurge in the offseason, the most notable of which was the signing of Trea Turner.
The Phillies secured the services of the prolific shortstop, signing him to an 11-year deal worth $300 million.
The deal, sealed on Monday, December 5, gives the Phillies the best power-speed player in baseball.
His addition provides the already talent-laden roster of the Phillies a huge boost.
With that being said, the Phillies may have just enough to make a repeat attempt at the World Series.
After making it as the sixth and final team in the National League, the Phillies bulldozed its way to the World Series after disposing of teams that include the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres.
Their run fell short, losing to the Houston Astros in six games.
But their aggressive moves of infusing fresh big-time talent could be enough for them to possibly win it all next MLB season.
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