Phillies' $72M Walker Flop: A Cautionary Tale

0:00Philly's just paid Taiwan Walker $15 million to pack his bags and leave. It's the quiet end to one of the worst deals in team history, a four-year $72 million contract that delivered just 1.9 wins. Above replacement over four seasons. Walker hit free agency after a career year with the Mets in 2022, going 12 and 5 with a 3.49 ERA over 100. 57 innings. Philly's rolled the dice on the 30-year-old, hoping he'd anchor their rotation. First year in Philly, he posted 15 wins and a 4.38 ERA, solid enough behind Nola and Wheeler. But shoulder issues and finger inflammation sidelined him early the next season, leading to a bullpened emotion and a 7.10 ERA. Things got worse as a swingman last year, with a 4.08 mark, and this season he cratered with a 9.13 ERA over 5. Starts. Giving up 23 earn runs. His splitter and fastball got crushed like never before.

1:01Tried trading him multiple times, but no takers, so they ate the cash to free a roster spot amid a 9-game skid. Philly's learning the hard way on betting big without checking the pitchers declining velocity. You've been listening to California News today, AI-powered local news.