The final arbitration-eligible player is signed, as RHP Taijuan Walker lost his arbitration case against the Diamondbacks. Walker had filed for $2.6M while the Diamondbacks countered with $2.25M. Walker will make the latter for 2017, as he’s eligible under Super Two status. I currently have Walker projected as the #3 starter in the rotation, but he might be the #2 first time through the rotation.
The Diamondbacks picked up Walker in November, trading 2B Jean Segura along with OF Mitch Haniger and LHP Zac Curtis for Walker and INF Ketel Marte. Walker fills out a need in the rotation on a team that has very little quality rotation depth. The team is hoping to see whether or not they have the pieces to make a postseason push or if they need to blow up the entire operation and rebuild for the future.