YankeesAnthony Rizzo’s decision to decline his $17 million club option for the 2025 season opens the door to more strategic spending in free agency. While retaining Juan Soto and negotiating a long-term extension remain top priorities, the Yankees have additional financial flexibility to explore other high-impact acquisitions. Among his top targets should be Arizona Diamondbacks starting goalie Christian Walker.

Yankees Have Interest in Christian Walker

Rumors are already swirling that the Yankees are pursuing Walker. Accordingly Bob Nightingale for USA TodayThe Yankees, Nationals and Diamondbacks are among the six teams aggressively pursuing him. Even the Mets have reportedly been linked to Walker as a potential replacement should Pete Alonso part ways in free agency.

The Yankees have $80 million to spend this offseason; That’s thanks in large part to the arrival of Rizzo, Gleyber Torres, and Alex Verdugo on the open market. With the $31 million they paid Soto last season temporarily off the books, they have plenty of room to maneuver. Walker could be a complementary addition to Soto, who played a critical role in the Yankees’ World Series run last season.

Offensive Consistency and Positives

With Rizzo’s production diminished due to injuries and age, Walker represents a more consistent offensive option. The 33-year-old right-hander appeared in 130 games last season and slashed .251/.335/.468 with 26 home runs, 84 RBIs and a 119 wRC+. Walker has consistently been an above-average hitter, scoring at least 26 points in each of the last three seasons.

The Diamondbacks made a one-year, $25 million offer to Walker, but Walker could get a longer-term deal worth about $60 million over three years. This scenario would be ideal for the Yankees, who could potentially negotiate an opt-out clause after the second year to protect against any future declines.

Offensive Form for Yankee Stadium

Walker excels at creating hard contact; He ranked in the 90th percentile in barrel rate and 86th percentile in hard-hit rate last season. Although he is a right-handed hitter who prefers to pull the ball, his power numbers translate well to Yankee Stadium. Predictions suggest Walker would hit 25 home runs in the Bronx last season, just one short of his actual total, making concerns about his hitting approach irrelevant.

Defensive Prowess at First Base

Walker also brings outstanding defensive skills to the table. He threw over 1,104.1 pitches last season, posting a .998 fielding percentage, saving seven defensive runs and scoring 13 runs above average. His defensive acumen makes him one of the best first basemen in the game; He represents a significant improvement over Rizzo and strengthens the Yankees’ infield defense; This is also a major focus this summer.

A Balanced Approach to Spending

Adding Walker would provide both offensive and defensive value at a cost comparable to what the Yankees would pay for Rizzo. With his strength on the field, great work and a relatively manageable contract, Walker could be the perfect fit to strengthen the Yankees’ roster as they continue to compete at the highest level.