The New York Yankees have multiple places to upgrade their roster this offseason. Notably, they either need to re-sign or replace their superstar outfielder Juan Soto. Soto is the team’s top priority, as he should be. But beyond Soto, the Yankees are tasked with replacing or re-signing both second baseman Gleyber Torres and first baseman Anthony Rizzo.
New York declined Rizzo’s $17 million club option a few weeks ago. A reunion remains unlikely but not impossible. There are a few star-caliber options for the Yankees to pursue at first base in free agency. The first base free agency class is headlined by New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso.
FanSided‘s Zachary Rotman thinks that Alonso is a great first baseman, but he doesn’t think that he’s the greatest fit for the Yankees this winter. And his reasoning makes a lot of sense. “Alonso is the bigger name, but Walker feels like the better fit. No, Walker probably won’t ever hit the 40+ home runs that Alonso does routinely, but he does just about everything else better,” Rotman wrote. “He doesn’t strike out nearly as much. He can hit for a slightly higher average. Perhaps most importantly, though, he’s a much better def
Also to note, Walker is expected to sign for less than half the total value of Alonso. The money could be a huge factor for New York, especially with Soto expected to sign with either the Yankees or Mets. Either first baseman would be a huge signing for the Bronx Bombers, but Walker projects as the better fit.
ender. Alonso is a better defender than most give him credit for, but Walker has won each of the last three Gold Gloves at first base.”
There are pros and cons to both first basemen. Alonso provides the slugging upside and he’s a few years younger. But, as Rotman notes, Walker isn’t much worse of a hitter and is a much better defender.
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