Report: Diamondbacks open to trading 1B Christian Walker at deadline

The Arizona Diamondbacks are reportedly open to trading first baseman Christian Walker at the MLB trade deadline, Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro reported.

Although this does not necessarily mean that Walker is being actively shopped, it could mean the D-backs want to approach the MLB trade deadline as sellers instead of buyers.

“Walker’s name has not been mentioned much in media reports, but sources say the Diamondbacks have told rival clubs they are willing to talk about trades that involve him,” Piecoro said. “His value as a trade chip is interesting on a number of levels.”

Walker is batting .207 with 22 home runs, 45 RBIs and 49 walks over 89 games played this season.

The 31-year-old first baseman is making $2.6 million through arbitration in 2022, so the power right-handed bat could appeal to World Series contenders despite the low batting average.

Although Arizona does not have an everyday first baseman on the roster other than Walker, Seth Beer has shown he can also swing a powerful bat. Beer struggled in the majors, batting .210 with one home run in 27 games.