D-backs reach settlements with Zac Gallen, Christian Walker
Jan 14, 2023, 12:30 PM | Updated: 12:32 pm
Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Chase Field on September 04, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
The Arizona Diamondbacks reached contract settlements and avoided arbitration with pitcher Zac Gallen, first baseman Christian Walker, catcher Carson Kelly, outfielder Kyle Lewis and pitcher Cole Sulser, the team announced Saturday.
The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro reported the amounts as follows: Walker ($6.5 million), Gallen ($5.6 million), Kelly ($4.3 million) and Lewis ($1.6 million).
The Diamondbacks in November tendered 39 players, including the arbitration-eligible Gallen, Kelly, Lewis and Walker, plus third baseman Josh Rojas.
Walker put together his best season yet, posting a .477 slugging percentage and .804 OPS thanks, in part, to 36 home runs.
He added 94 RBIs and 141 hits on top of Gold Glove-worthy defense at first base.
Gallen likewise had a career season with a 2.54 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in 31 starts.
Kelly’s offense fell off in 2022 compared to his prior season, but he was a trusted body behind the plate for a starting rotation that, aside from veteran Madison Bumgarner, found its legs behind Gallen and Merrill Kelly.
The Diamondbacks acquired Lewis in a November trade with the Seattle Mariners.
The 27-year-old outfielder played in 18 games last year while dealing with injuries — he has not played more than 57 games over an entire season — and struggled with a .143/.226/.304 slash line.
Lewis’ best season came in 2020, when over 57 games he hit 11 home runs with a .438 slugging percentage and .801 OPS.
Sulser last played with the Miami Marlins in 2022, posting a 5.29 ERA, 1.618 WHIP and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings over 39 games played.
