The Arizona Diamondbacks presented free agent first baseman Christian Walker the one-year qualifying offer, which is worth a projected $21.05 million for the 2025 season, ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported on Monday.
Teams that extend the qualifying offer stand to gain draft compensation should the player decline and sign elsewhere. Eligible players for the QO are those who have never received one before and who have spent the entire previous season on the team offering it. For instance, Diamondbacks designated hitter Joc Pederson — who declined a mutual option — is ineligible having already received the offer earlier in his career.
Clubs must extend the QO within five days after the World Series, a period when they can negotiate with their own free agents. Players must wait five days after the World Series to start signing with new teams.
Players who receive the QO have until Nov. 19 to accept.
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Walker is hitting free agency at 33 years old — he will turn 34 at the start of next season — after eight years on the Diamondbacks.
The D-backs took a chance on Walker after he was waived by three other clubs in spring 2017, and he worked his way from fringe major leaguer and Paul Goldschmidt’s backup to a franchise staple.
Walker is an older free agent, but his production and defensive ability will entice teams needing a first baseman.
Walker is a three-time Gold Glove winner and a finalist to three-peat, solidifying himself as the top defensive first baseman in MLB.
On offense, has has blasted 95 homers over his last three seasons with an .813 OPS. He would have likely pushed past the 30-homer mark in three straight seasons had it not been for an oblique injury sidelining him for five weeks in 2024, but he still managed 26 bombs and 84 RBIs despite the games missed.
New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso is expected to warrant the largest contract of free agent first basemen, but Walker could be next in line. Other first basemen on the market include the 37-year-old Goldschmidt, Anthony Rizzo (option declined), Carlos Santana and Josh Bell, who spent the last two months of the season in Arizona.