Report: Mariners want to bring back Taijuan Walker
The Seattle Mariners are looking to reunite with their former top prospect.
Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reported on Monday that the Mariners have made a “standing offer” to righty Taijuan Walker for a one-year deal and the fifth spot in their rotation. Divish adds though that the 27-year-old has offers from a handful of teams and is still determining his best opportunity.
Walker also reportedly threw for the Chicago Cubs this week.
That's Taijuan Walker meeting Cubs brass before they watch him throw. No deal in place or anything. Former first round pick of Seattle who's battled injuries. https://t.co/x6f34yvasp pic.twitter.com/LYtI70ZqXP
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 10, 2020
The veteran was selected by the Mariners in the first round of the 2010 MLB Draft with the No. 41 overall pick. He never reached his full potential in Seattle and was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2016. Walker then tore the UCL in his pitching elbow in 2018 and had to undergo Tommy John surgery, resulting in just four total appearances over the last two seasons.
Walker also dealt with some other painful ailments in recent years, so the hope will be that he still has enough left to contribute to an MLB team.
