The Orioles continue to reshape their bullpen this offseason, officially bringing in right-hander Shane Baz and, in the process, designating lefty Josh Walker for assignment. It’s a move that speaks to the club’s shifting priorities - and one that puts an end, at least for now, to what’s been a whirlwind few months for Walker.
This marks Walker’s third DFA since the end of the regular season. Baltimore originally claimed him off waivers in August and liked him enough to offer a major league deal in November.
But when they tried to sneak him through waivers again, the Braves swooped in. That stint in Atlanta didn’t last long, as he was designated again in early December, only for the Orioles to reclaim him.
Walker’s big-league résumé includes time with the Mets and Blue Jays, though the numbers haven’t been kind. Across 27 1/3 major league innings, he’s posted a 6.59 ERA.
That said, there’s some intrigue in the underlying metrics. His 24.2% strikeout rate is solid - certainly enough to raise an eyebrow - but it’s been undercut by a walk rate that’s consistently hovered in the double digits.
Command remains the hurdle.
Still, Walker’s track record in the upper minors has shown flashes of something more. In 2023, while with the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate, he struck out a third of the batters he faced - a 33.3% rate that’s elite by any standard.
He kept up that pace in 2024, posting a combined strikeout rate north of 30% across multiple organizations. His stint with Triple-A Buffalo was particularly strong, with a 31.4% strikeout rate that earned him a shot in Toronto’s bullpen.
In limited action with the Blue Jays, he recorded eight strikeouts in five innings.
But Baltimore’s bullpen picture is getting crowded, especially from the left side. The O’s have already made some significant bullpen moves this winter - trading for Andrew Kittredge, signing Ryan Helsley, and re-upping with Dietrich Enns. With Enns and Keegan Akin currently penciled in as the primary left-handed options, and Grant Wolfram also on the 40-man roster, there just wasn’t a clear path for Walker.
For now, the Orioles are betting on Baz’s upside and the bullpen depth they’ve built. As for Walker, he’ll hit waivers once again, and given the interest he’s drawn in recent months, it wouldn’t be surprising if another team takes a shot on the high-strikeout lefty.