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Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker has not been approached by the team with a new contract offer, and the 27-year-old doesn't plan on holding negotiations during the regular season.
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When asked by reporters -- including Michael Sanserino of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette -- if he and his agent expect to hold negotiations with the Pirates regarding a contract extension during the regular season, Walker replied that he doesn't "plan on it."
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Pittsburgh has designated right-hander Hunter Strickland and first baseman Clint Robinson for assignment.
Walker has said that he's open to a long-term deal with the Pirates, and Pittsburgh would seem to have interest in retaining the hometown product. However, it doesn't appear that contract talks between the Bucs and Walker have gotten very far, and now that the regular season has begun, discussions may be put on hold until next winter.
Walker is in his first season as an arbitration-eligible player, and he's set to make $3.3 million this year. He isn't slated to reach the free agent market until 2017, when he'll be 31 years old.
Over 530 plate appearances in 2012, Walker hit .280/.342/.426 with 27 doubles and 14 home runs. He owns a career batting line of .280/.339/.424 over four seasons in the majors.
