Walker: deGrom would fit on Yanks
It’s hard to see how the Yankees could end up with the Mets’ Jacob deGrom, given the New York City teams’ disdain for dealing with each other and the Yankees’ unwillingness to part with what it would take to land the right-hander, but Neil Walker is confident his former teammate would thrive in The Bronx.
“He would absolutely be great here,” said Walker, in his first season with the Yankees after spending 2016 and part of last season with the Mets. “Being here in New York — either this side or the other side — the expectations, the pressure is very similar. With the Yankees, maybe you feel it a little more, especially this year with the expectations so incredibly high.”
But, Walker said, deGrom — who is just 4-2 in 14 starts despite a 1.55 ERA — would not be daunted by the challenge.
“Jake has pitched in the biggest spots, the postseason and World Series games,’’ Walker said. “In my opinion, he’s one of the top righthanders in baseball. He’s a competitor, a grinder. He knows how to pitch and his stuff is off the charts. I wouldn’t see him with any issues wherever he goes.”
The Mets have scored more than one run just once in deGrom’s past five starts and are 2-9 in his past 11 outings, despite deGrom’s 1.16 ERA in that span. Whether that impacts what the Mets do with their ace remains to be seen.
“He’s very competitive, but he’s also very even-keeled,’’ Walker said. “He gives you everything he has and produces. I know it’s way more enjoyable to play on a team that’s winning than one that’s struggling and is falling out of the hunt.”