Free agent first baseman Christian Walker has rejected the qualifying offer from the Arizona Diamondbacks ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, according to the MLBPA.
Walker declining the qualifying offer does not prevent him from re-signing with the Diamondbacks, however, Arizona would receive draft compensation if he joins another club.
The QO was set at a one-year, $21.05 million deal for the 2025 campaign.
The vast majority of players reject the deal, as only 14 free agents since 2012 have accepted it. This year, 12 of 13 players to receive the QO walked away from it. Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez was the exception.
What draft pick would the Diamondbacks get if Christian Walker leaves?
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The draft compensation Arizona receives if Walker heads elsewhere would depend on his contract. As a revenue-sharing recipient, the D-backs would receive a pick between the first round and Competitive Balance Round A should the lost player sign for at least $50 million.
Most projections suggest Walker will easily clear a $50 million contract.
If Walker takes less than $50 million with another team for whatever reason, the pick would come after Competitive Balance Round B following the second round. Teams that sign a player who rejected the QO are subject to lose a draft pick or two. Revenue-sharing recipients stand to lose their third-highest selection in the following draft.
Walker was the lone player Arizona extended the qualifying offer to this offseason.
The veteran first baseman has spent the last eight seasons with the Diamondbacks and is coming off three straight Gold Glove-winning campaigns. At the plate, Walker collected a .251/.335/.468 batting line with 26 home runs in 130 games in 2024, as he missed time with an oblique strain. Had he avoided injury, Walker would likely have hit the 30-home run mark for a third straight season.
Walker is an older free agent, as he will turn 34 at the start of next season. But his elite defense and consistent offensive production, paired with several contending teams in need of a first baseman, have already created a competitive market.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported at the GM meetings earlier this month there were at least six teams aggressively pursuing Walker. The D-backs, New York Yankees and Washington Nationals were among the interested parties.
Pete Alonso, 29, is expected to headline the first base market with Walker on the next rung down. Other notable names are Paul Goldschmidt, Josh Bell and Carlos Santana.