Taijuan Walker's nightmare start against Nationals fuels $72 million regret for Phillies
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Things are spiraling out of control for right-hander Taijuan Walker.
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The Philadelphia Phillies fifth starter exited Monday's game against the Washington Nationals after 4.2 innings, having allowed six earned runs on 10 hits while walking three in the process.
Walker, in the final year of a regrettable four-year, $72 million contract for the Phillies, permitted four runs in the first inning. Philadelphia trailed its NL East opponents 7-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth.
Last June, the Phillies moved Walker to the bullpen amid inconsistent performance. He owns an elevated 4.88 ERA in 84 outings (67 starts) since 2023 with Philadelphia, a club that is probably already considering attempting to find a trade partner for the 33-year-old.
If they can find one, of course.
Phillies predicted to 'get rid' of Walker after Opening Day decision
"The Phillies came to almost instantly regret signing Taijuan Walker to a four-year, $72 million contract. He's in year four of that contract now, however, which could mean a solid beginning to the campaign opens the door to substantive trade talks," FanSided's Christopher Kline wrote last week.
"The Phillies might need to eat a chunk of his $18 million expiring salary, but Walker put up a 4.08 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across 123.2 innings last season. Nothing special, but he got the job done when the Phils were shorthanded."
Despite showing a glimmer of hope towards the end of last year, the Phillies' president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, could already be working the phones after Walker's outing on Monday. Not to mention, Zack Wheeler made his first rehab start on Saturday at Triple-A and could be nearing a return.
"The Phillies' lack of proven depth could lead them to keep him around as a swingman in the bullpen, a role he occupied for much of last season," Kline added about Walker's future with the Phillies. "But if any team comes knocking, something tells me Dombrowski will gladly listen."
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