Should the Pirates bring back Neil Walker next season?

Neil Walker had a good night last night, driving in the first five runs for the Pirates on a two-run single and a three-run home run. He’s now seven RBIs away from his total from last season. In fact, he’s hitting right along his career averages this year, in terms of batting average, home runs, and RBIs. It’s this production year in and year out that has propelled him to become one of the better, if not one of the best offensive second baseman in all of baseball. He’s been one of the driving forces behind the return to relevance for the Pirates, and his Pittsburgh roots has garnered him the adoration of much of the fan base.

But as it is for almost every player in baseball, Walker’s time with the team that drafted him is more than likely coming to an end. A recent article from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (which you can read here) got the attention of the local media, and for good reason. It offered up some very revealing quotes both from Neal Huntington and from Walker himself. Essentially, it seems that both sides have come to terms with the fact that Walker isn’t going to get an extension with Pittsburgh. We as fans have been preparing for this day to come, and while many were touting the extend Walker banner after last season’s power improvement, that movement has seemed to slow down. The real question has become whether or not the Pirates should try to trade Walker after this season and get something in return for him, or keep him for the 2016 season and let him ride out his contract in Pittsburgh. Let’s break down each side of the debate.

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The Pirates should bring back Walker

Finding a good offensive second baseman is tough in this day in age, especially one that can hit for power like Walker. And the fact that the Pirates haven’t gotten enough run production from their corner infielders in recent years means that they’ve relied on Walker to add that power to the lineup. And when Walker’s not producing via the home run, he’s still finding ways to drive in runs. As I write this, Walker ranks in the top six in all of baseball among second baseman in both home runs and RBIs this season. That’s top end production that the Pirates can’t replace with just anybody.

But the most pressing reason to bring back Walker is the loss of Jung Ho Kang through the beginning of next season. And with Aramis Ramirez retiring after this year, the Pirates will be down two big run producers at the start of 2016. This may put the Pirates in a situation where they have no choice but the bring back Walker. Their infield without Walker next season would start out as Pedro Alvarez, Jordy Mercer, Josh Harrison, and…? Alen Hanson is a possibility, but he hasn’t taken a major league at-bat yet. After him, the Pirates have nothing but replacement level options internally until Kang gets back. Maybe it’s time to give Hanson a chance, but as a starter to at the beginning of the year? That’s a long shot.

The Pirates should not bring back Walker

In my opinion, there are more reasons not to bring back Walker than to keep him. First of all, Kang will back at some point next season, hopefully without missing too much time. Therefore, Walker may only be needed at the start the year, so why does the team need him for the entire season? Walker is also set to make close to $10 million next season via arbitration, and we all know that the Pirates aren’t a large market team that can spend as they please. That money could go towards another middle infielder, or towards a starting pitcher. It could be better allocated to address other needs, maybe multiple needs. And why stretch out the inevitable? I say give Hanson a shot at the majors. His bat can play, and top prospects shouldn’t be drowning in the minors. He should be given a shot on the team or be given a shot elsewhere. A middle infield of Kang-Mercer-Hanson-Alvarez could be pretty good next season.

My gut tells me that Neil Walker will be back next year, and he’ll walk at the end of the 2016 season without the Pirates receiving anything for him. If it were up to me, Walker would be traded this offseason as long as the Pirates can get something good in return for him and Hanson or an external, cheaper option would be given a shot at the second base position. In the end, I trust that Neal Huntington will make the best decision for this club, and that Walker will end up being a positive contributor no matter where he plays.

Next: Has Pedro Alvarez truly improved at the plate?