Christian Walker’s value has surged dramatically over the past three years. Prior to the 2022 season, he signed a one-year deal with Arizona worth $2.6 million. By 2023, his salary had risen to $6.5 million, and this season, it reached $10.9 million. The nearly $11 million he’s making this year starkly contrasts with the $589,500 he earned in 2020, underscoring his increasing significance both at first base and in the lineup.
The Diamondbacks were aware of the risks associated with signing Walker to one-year contracts in consecutive seasons. With the 2024 offseason approaching and Walker having one of his best seasons yet, the team will need to invest heavily to retain one of the National League’s top first basemen.
According to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, Walker’s next contract could range between $40 million and $80 million, placing him in the company of other veteran stars like Clay Holmes, Tanner Scott, Jeff Hoffman, Anthony Santander, Nathan Eovaldi, and Luis Severino.
Before being placed on the IL in late July, the 33-year-old Walker was on track to set a new career high in home runs, achieve at least 20 doubles for the fourth straight season, and record around 100 RBIs. If he returns before the season ends, he could also earn his third consecutive Gold Glove.
The Diamondbacks have limited options at first base. Their top power-hitting first baseman in Triple-A, Deyvison De Los Santos, was traded to Miami’s farm system at the deadline in exchange for reliever A.J. Puk. However, De Los Santos’s defensive abilities pale in comparison to what Christian Walker offers Arizona.
Another name from Arizona on McDaniel’s free-agent list is Jordan Montgomery, who has recently been involved in controversy with his former agent, Scott Boras. Montgomery has struggled this season, posting a career-worst 6.44 ERA in 19 starts. Before Arizona’s series against the Red Sox, Montgomery told the Boston Herald that Boras “butchered” his offseason negotiations.
Due to these struggles, McDaniel considers Montgomery a “wild card” in this winter’s free agency. He wrote that Montgomery could make either $22.5 million or $25 million next season, depending on whether he reaches 23 starts this year. It might make sense for him to return to Arizona at a reasonable rate and aim to rebound before hitting the market again.
At the top of McDaniel’s 2024-2025 free-agent list is Juan Soto, who, as McDaniel notes, is expected to command a contract equivalent to “the GDP of a small country.”
