Phillies' $72M Walker Flop: A Cautionary Tale

Philly's just paid Taiwan Walker $15 million to pack his bags and leave.

It's the quiet end to one of the worst deals in team history, a four-year $72 million contract that delivered just 1.9 wins.

Above replacement over four seasons.

Walker hit free agency after a career year with the Mets in 2022, going 12 and 5 with a 3.49 ERA over 100.

57 innings. Philly's rolled the dice on the 30-year-old, hoping he'd anchor their rotation.

First year in Philly, he posted 15 wins and a 4.38 ERA, solid enough behind Nola and Wheeler.

But shoulder issues and finger inflammation sidelined him early the next season, leading to a bullpened emotion and a 7.10 ERA.

Things got worse as a swingman last year, with a 4.08 mark, and this season he cratered with a 9.13 ERA over 5.

Starts. Giving up 23 earn runs. His splitter and fastball got crushed like never before.

Tried trading him multiple times, but no takers, so they ate the cash to free a roster spot amid a 9-game skid.

Philly's learning the hard way on betting big without checking the pitchers declining velocity.

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