UPDATE (Dec. 9, 12:25 p.m. PT): With some concern over re-signing Daniel Murphy to a four-year contract, the New York Mets were in pursuit of Ben Zobrist.
They were believed by many to be the frontrunner to sign Zobrist, however he agreed to a four-year contract with the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.
Rather than circle back to Murphy, New York then turned its attention to Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker.
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets and Pirates agreed to a trade:
Confirmed Walker to #Mets pending medical review, small other matters
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 9, 2015
While the Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with Chase Utley, there remains somewhat of a need at second base.
After one season with the Dodgers, Howie Kendrick became a free agent and appears unlikely to re-sign.
Los Angeles was linked to Ben Zobrist, though they never seemed like a much of a threat to sign the utility man who joined the Chicago Cubs on a four-year, $56 million deal on Tuesday.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has previously stated the club would be comfortable turning to internal options Kiké Hernandez or Jose Peraza as a solution to the question mark at second base.
Peraza made his Major-League debut last season, but only managed to play seven games before suffering a hamstring injury. Hernandez received significant playing time in 2015, however with much of it coming in center field.
As the Dodgers scour the landscape for available options, they’ve been among the clubs to express an interest in Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker, according to Rob Biertempfel of The Pittsburgh Tribune:
Sources: #Angels have "very serious" interest in #Pirates Neil Walker. #Dodgers also interested, though maybe to lesser degree.
— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) December 9, 2015
The New York Mets also have interest and are discussing a Jon Niese-for-Walker trade, per Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:
Source: #Mets indeed discussing Niese-for-Walker with #Pirates. First: @BiertempfelTrib.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 9, 2015
Walker was one of eight arbitration-eligible Pirates tendered a contract. He’s projected to earn $10 million in 2016 via arbitration, and will be a free agent after next season.
The 30-year-old Walker hit .269/.328/.427 with 16 home runs, 71 RBIs, a .325 wOBA and 108 wRC+ in 151 games. He’s a .272/.338/.431 lifetime batter over seasons with the Pirates.
Defensively, Walker committed seven errors and had a .989 fielding percentage in 661 chances, but had a -2 defensive runs saved.
