Copyright phillyvoice
The Phillies thought they were getting a starting rotation mainstay when they signed Taijuan Walker to a four-year, $72 million deal before the 2023 regular season. Having faltered in the 2022 World Series, the Phillies' front office felt like pitching depth was one of the reasons they fell to the Astros. They needed a back of the rotation innings-eater. But Walker was a big swing and miss. He's been an expensive boondoggle for the payroll since inking the deal, and he's got one year left on the inflated contract. Should the Phillies be trying to get rid of him, or finding a way to utilize him the best they can in 2026? Why he should stay He has become serviceable Before the Phillies signed Walker, he had played for the Mariners, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays and Mets, with a career 3.89 ERA, 1.226 WHIP and 8.1 strikeout to walk rate. In three seasons in Philly, he has a 4.88 ERA, 1.432 WHIP and 6.7 strikeout to walk ratio. What happened? For some reason, Walker became basically unplayable during the middle of his Phillies tenure. His control wasn't there. His health was shaky. Last year he righted the ship a bit, with a 4.08 ERA as he settled into sort of a hybrid 6th starter, long reliever role. His relief pitching, though a small sample size, wasn't bad — he had a 3.25 ERA and much better strikeout rate in 20 innings out of the bullpen in 2026. It's pretty clear that with the starting pitching depth the Phillies will have going into next season Walker would return to the bullpen, but as a long man you can certainly do worse. They won't get anything for him
