Report: Mets have serious interest in Walker

The New York Mets' search for another starting pitcher has taken them to Taijuan Walker.

New York has serious interest in signing the right-hander, and the sides have engaged in extensive discussions, sources told SNY's Andy Martino.

Walker is one of the top starting pitchers left in free agency as camps begin to open. The 28-year-old owns a 3.84 ERA, 4.24 FIP, and 1.25 WHIP over parts of eight big-league seasons. He authored a solid comeback campaign in 2020 after missing most of 2018 and '19 recovering from Tommy John surgery, posting a 2.70 ERA in 11 total starts for the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays.

The Mets are still looking for one more starter to slot into the rotation behind Jacob deGrom, Carlos Carrasco, and Marcus Stroman. Their interest in Walker appears to have picked up after failing to land reigning NL Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer and southpaw James Paxton in recent weeks.

Walker has also drawn interest from the Blue Jays, who'd like to re-sign him after helping them to a surprising playoff berth last summer.