Todd Walker's had a bit of a tough spring training this year, what with arbitration and his inability to hit the ball and his subsequent release from the Padres -- and loss of his $3.85 million deal -- this week. Tough times, indeed. But it looks like Walker is going to get another shot. He signed a minor league contract with the A's yesterday:
The move gives the A's flexibility with their infield after losing first baseman Dan Johnson to a hip injury this week. Walker has played first, second and third during his 11-year major league career.Correction: Todd Walker was a nice guy to have like two years ago. Now, after batting .225 (14-40) in spring training, Walker could be nearing the end of his usage as a professional baseball player. On the other hand, he could just be in a slump, and will revert to better-than-average OBP and BA during the season.
"In light of some of the injuries we've had, we need as many choices as possible," A's assistant general manager David Forst said. "The guy's a major league veteran. If you're out there looking for players at this time of year, you don't know what you're going to get so Todd Walker's a nice guy to have."
Knowing Billy Beane's history of redeeming talent for bargain-basement price, I'm leaning toward the latter.
