PHILADELPHIA _ Neil Walker isn't happy about becoming collateral damage in the latest round of mudslinging between the Mets and Yankees, a development that could prove costly during his upcoming free agency.
"It's disappointing," said the veteran Mets' second baseman, whose medical reports came under scrutiny in the aftermath of the spat between the bickering rivals. "More than anything, it's disappointing."
Jay Bruce's trade to the Indians instead of the Yankees _ who believed they made a competitive offer _ raised questions about whether the Mets have a prohibition about doing business with their crosstown rivals. In response, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson on Thursday cited a deal that fell apart minutes with the Yankees just before the trade deadline.
Though Alderson did not mention the name of the player involved, sources revealed later that Walker had been part of a deal, which fizzled because of the Yankees' concerns about his medical report.
Such public revelations are especially damaging for the 31-year-old Walker, who is approaching free agency.
"That's the piece of it that's not really fair to the player," he said.
Last season, Walker underwent back surgery. And on June 15, he went on the disabled list with a hamstring injury that sidelined him until July 28, just three days before the deadline. But as Newsday reported, Walker nevertheless drew last-minute interest.
The switch-hitting second baseman entered Friday night hitting .261 with a .775 OPS this season. Because he has cleared waivers, he could still be traded before the end of the month.
"Whether information was leaked or whatever the case may be, I don't know where things went wrong," Walker said. "I'm here, I'm happy to be a Met right now. But to hear that I'm not healthy enough to be traded, but I'm healthy enough to be in the lineup every day is a bit confusing. I don't know where things got lost."
