Given the extremely poor performance of the New York Yankees’ first basemen in the 2024 regular season, it seems likely that New York’s front office will change that. Not exercising Anthony Rizzo’s team option for 2025 and try to improve the position through free agency instead.

Interstate slugger Pete Alonso will likely be the most sought-after first baseman on the market. But less discussed (and arguably elite) is upcoming first baseman free agent Christian Walker of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Walker, whom The Athletic’s Jim Bowden sees as a potential Free agency available to Yankees somehow October 24 article – Quietly produced a .251 batting average in 2024 with an .806 OPS, 26 home runs and 84 RBIs. This underrated accomplishment is largely why Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer selected Walker as one of seven MLB Free Agents Who Could Be Superstars. New Teams in 2025 October 27 article.

“Anyone who says Christian Walker is already a star has solid ground to stand on,” Rymer wrote.

“By WAR, he’s the fifth most valuable first baseman over the past three seasons. His 95 home runs help his cause, and he also stands alone as the best defender in the cold corner.

“As impressive as Walker’s performance over the last three seasons has been on the surface, it actually looks better in context,” Rymer continued.

“Chase Field isn’t entirely bad for hitters, but it’s a bad place to hit home runs. Even Walker felt the brunt of it occasionally,” Rymer added. “He hit 52 home runs on the road and 43 at home between 2022 and 2024. This is despite a difference of just three games played.

“It’s not hard to imagine Walker competing in a 40-home run season in 2025 if he can get to a place where he improves his right-handed pulling power.”

spotrac He projects Walker to receive a three-year, $65 million contract this winter. That’s a fraction of the seven-year, $242 million deal Spotrac projects Pete Alonso will sign this summer.

Adding 40-plus home run potential at a discounted price could be a bargain the Yankees can’t refuse this offseason.