Mets close to trading Neil Walker to Milwaukee Brewers, per report

After losing out on Ian Kinsler, the Milwaukee Brewers are close to acquiring Mets’ second baseman Neil Walker, according to Ken Rosenthal.

Walker came up with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the 31 year old has spent the past two seasons with the New York Mets. His numbers aren’t overwhelming this year (.264/.339/.442, OPS .780) and he has just 256 at bats this season, missing time with a partially torn hamstring. But his numbers this season are totally in line with his career numbers, so we wouldn’t expect much different results in Milwaukee.

Walker, a switch hitter, would likely be an upgrade over the season that Jonathan Villar is having (despite Villar’s good game last night), and could mean the DFAing of Eric Sogard.

Walker is owed another $4.5 million or so this season, and will be an unrestricted free agent next year. That would hopefully mean that the Brewers will not be giving up anything of significant value to acquire him as a rental, especially if Milwaukee is willing to take on the remainder to Walker’s deal.

The question as to whether this move would make any difference in how the Brewers finish this season is a moot point. They can afford the money, he wouldn’t be blocking anyone, and will be gone next season.