Free agent starter Taijuan Walker met with and threw in front of Cubs brass Monday in Arizona.
Walker, a 2010 first-round pick of the Mariners, tossed 14 total innings the past two seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2018. The 27-year-old spent the last three seasons with the Diamondbacks, sporting a 3.49 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 28 starts in 2017.
Walker recently worked out for about 20 scouts, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. His fastball averaged 85-88 mph, down from the 93-95 averages he tallied when healthy. Although he won't jump 10 mph, his velocity should tick upwards as he builds up arm strength.
As Rogers notes, no deal is imminent between Walker and the Cubs, though the workout points to their interest in the right-hander. The Cubs’ slow-moving offseason has featured numerous low-cost pitching additions with upside. Walker fits that bill.
According to Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times, Walker has a standing offer from the Mariners, whom he pitched for from 2013-16. Divish also says Walker has offers from “a handful of teams with differing price points.”
This could work against the Cubs, depending on what opportunity they offer Walker. The club has four starters locked in to the Opening Day rotation (barring any trades) in Jon Lester, Yu Darvish, Kyle Hendricks and Jose Quintana.
MLB
Monday, Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said Tyler Chatwood is being prepped for the Cubs’ final rotation spot. The Cubs also have Alec Mills, Colin Rea and Adbert Alzolay as options for that role.
So, if Walker is solely looking for a full-time rotation gig, he may not find it in Chicago.
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