Taijuan Walker, after putting together an All-Star season in his first year with the Mets in 2021, is once again putting up solid numbers in 2022, holding a 2.86 ERA at the midway point of the season.
So, as the 29-year-old prepares to potentially become a free agent this winter, should the Mets look to lock him up to a long-term deal this offseason?
Walker sounds interested in staying in New York.
"I know New York can be a tough place to play and pitch, and I kind of saw that a little bit last year with everything going on," Walker told MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. "But the cool thing is how passionate the fans are. I respect it. Obviously, they want you to do well, but all you've got to do is hold yourself accountable. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about it.
"I'm excited for what the future holds, and I'm also excited to continue to pitch good and try to make the playoffs. I want to pitch in the playoffs to show what I can do. But I've had a really great time here with the Mets."
Walker fell off dramatically in the second half last season, but has rebounded nicely in 2022. He has a player option for 2023 but could elect for free agency if he continues to put up the numbers he has through the first half of this season. The Mets will have other rotation decisions to make, as Jacob deGrom could opt out of his deal, but if the team wants Walker back, it appears the feeling would be mutual.
"It would be nice to do a longer-term deal and kind of just be set up in one place and know that I'm going to be here for a couple years," Walker said, via DiComo. "Maybe have my family settle in a little bit. That would be nice."
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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