Taijuan Walker

Taijuan Walker has agreed to a four-year, $72 million contract with the Phillies, per MLB insider Jeff Passan.

Fantasy Impact

Walker will leave New York, but will stay in the NL East as a member of the Phillies. The veteran right handed went 12-5 last season, with a 3.49 ERA, and 132 strikeouts in 157 1/3 innings pitched. The Phillies add another solid piece to their rotation.

Taijuan Walker pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and no earned runs Tuesday. He struck out 10 Nationals and tallied a no-decision.

Fantasy Impact

Walker, and most of the Mets’ starters, were pulled from the game after the Braves clinched the NL East. The 30-year-old will finish the regular season with a 12-5 record, 3.49 ERA, and 132 strikeouts in 29 starts.

Taijuan Walker pitched five innings, allowing six hits, two walks, and three earned runs Wednesday. He struck out eight Marlins and tallied a no-decision.

Fantasy Impact

Walker has pitched to a 4.20 ERA in his last seven starts. The 30-year-old veteran has a 3.59 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, .240 BAA, and a 7.18 K/9 ratio in 28 starts this season. Walker should make one more start during the regular season, but fantasy managers may want to see if they have a hotter hand on their roster.

Taijuan Walker allowed four runs on six hits and three walks over six innings on Wednesday against the Brewers. He struck out three and took the loss, falling to 12-5.

Fantasy Impact

Walker pitched far better than his line, holding the Brewers scoreless through four innings and allowing just one run through five. But he ran into trouble in the sixth, and the Mets relief staff allowed his inherited runners to score. Walker has been inconsistent for much of the year, though he has a respectable 3.53 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. He'll likely have one start left against Miami, though he could wind up pitching the final game of the season against the Braves depending on how the standings shake out. Keep him rostered in any league where pitching is scarce.

Taijuan Walker allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits over 7 1/3 innings on Friday against the Pirates. He struck out five and earned the win, moving to 12-4.

Fantasy Impact

Walker was excellent until giving up a two-run home run to Oneil Cruz in the eighth inning. After a rough stretch, including an outing where he gave up four runs against these same Pirates, he's righted the ship a bit, allowing just three earned runs over 14 1/3 innings in his last two starts. Walker's stuff is not overpowering (he generated just nine whiffs last night), and so even with his strong overall numbers, he's more of a matchup play. If you're desperate, he can be started against Milwaukee next week, be you can probably find better options given his downside.