Yankees, Mets among teams interested in slugging first baseman not named Pete Alonso

The Yankees and Mets could be going after the same first baseman this offseason — and his name is not Pete Alonso.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, “there are at least six teams who plan to aggressively pursue” free agent first baseman Christian Walker.
Nightengale mentions the Yankees, Diamondbacks and Nationals as potential suitors who believe Walker will come at less than half the price of Alonso. He also adds that Walker “could ultimately be involved in bidding war between the Yankees and Mets.”
Walker hit .251/.335/.468 with 26 home runs over 130 games with the Diamondbacks this season. He dealt with an oblique strain late in the season that kept him sidelined for more than a month.
The 33-year-old is projected by MLB Trade Rumors to land a three-year, $60 million deal.
Walker was issued a qualifying offer from Arizona that he will likely reject, so a new team that signs him would have to give up draft picks in order to do so.
The right-handed hitter also won back-to-back Gold Glove Awards in 2022 and 2023.
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Bridget Hyland may be reached at [email protected].