The Philadelphia Phillies had championship aspirations in 2024. Those hopes didn't materialize because they were eliminated in the NLDS by the New York Mets. Changes are coming to the roster before 2025. Will one of those changes include cutting ties with starting pitcher Taijuan Walker?
President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski upgraded his rotation Sunday by landing left-hander Jesús Luzardo in a trade with the Miami Marlins. Luzardo is set to join a starting staff led by Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, along with Ranger Suárez and Cristopher Sánchez, per FanGraphs' Roster Resource.
That leaves Walker on the outside looking in. FanSided's Mark Powell thinks the 32-year-old's days in Philadelphia are over. He's predicting Walker to be one of three 2024 Phillies who won't be back next season.
"Dombrowski claimed he would give Walker a chance to earn a rotation spot in spring training – or some role on the team, even if it's in long relief – but it's tougher to see that happening after they added Luzardo," Powell wrote. "Andrew Painter should be healthy again this season, as well, and will hopefully make his big-league debut. Walker doesn't fit into the Phillies' long-term plans, which is why he deserves a fresh start elsewhere with a team that can afford an expensive placeholder."
Walker signed a four-year, $72 million contract ahead of the 2023 season. He owns a 5.27 ERA in two seasons with the Phillies, including a 7.10 ERA through 83 2/3 innings in 2024. The right-hander is due to earn $18 million annually in 2025 and 2026, per Spotrac.
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