Walker, 30, is a Pittsburgh-area native who has spent his entire seven-year career with the Pirates. The switch hitter had a .269/.328/.427 slash line last season with 16 home runs and 71 RBIs. He also hasn’t turned in a WAR below 2.3 since 2010.
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Niese, 29, was considered a surplus starter on a team with plenty of young pitching depth. He’s 61-61 in his career with a 3.91 ERA and 826 strikeouts in 1,068 1/3 innings.
The Mets were in need of middle infield help after they told free agent Daniel Murphy they wouldn’t be re-signing him. Walker will likely take Murphy’s No. 2 spot in the batting order.
