Part 2/8:
Immediately after the signing was announced, the reactions were mixed. While there were those who expressed excitement over the addition of Walker, many were left feeling apathetic or even frustrated. The deal, which averages out to $20 million per year, drew parallels to the controversial signing of former Astros player A.J. Hinch. Some fans felt the commitment to hiring a 34-year-old player appeared counterintuitive, especially when considering that younger talent was available.