Walker gets to audition for future employment while enjoying playoff race with Brewers

SAN FRANCISCO – With every game he plays, Neil Walker has a chance to make an impression on possible future employers as an upcoming free agent.

But, given an unexpected opportunity to participate in a playoff race with the Milwaukee Brewers, the veteran second baseman is trying not to think too much about that bit of business.

“I’ve tried not to get caught up in my personal situation,” said Walker, who was acquired from the New York Mets in a trade on Aug. 12. “I had four years of arbitration, then I took a qualifying offer (for $17.2 million). So, really, I’ve been playing year to year for almost eight years.

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“So, I won’t worry about any of the other stuff, as far as free agency, until the season is over. There is a great carrot you’re chasing here. It’s not the free-agent piece. It’s the playoff piece and the World Series piece. That other stuff will take care of itself.”

Walker, who turns 32 on Sept. 10, certainly has acquitted himself well since joining the Brewers. Entering Tuesday, he was batting .435 (10 for 23) in seven games (six starts) with his new club with a home run and five runs batted in.

Including his last two games with the Mets before being traded, Walker had put together a nine-game hitting streak, batting .500 (16 for 32) over that span with two homers and seven RBI.

“He has played very well,” manager Craig Counsell said. “He has gotten some big hits. I’ve been surprised at his defense, really. He has played excellent defense. He has made some big plays, some important plays.

“We couldn’t ask for anything more. I’ve been really happy with it. It’s a veteran presence; he’s got a voice in the dugout and quickly, which is something that’s going to help us these last six weeks.

“He knows what he’s doing. It’s nice for him to come in and hit the ground running and have a good first week. It puts him in a good state of mind and makes him feel like he’s contributing.”

With the Mets selling off veteran pieces in the latter stages of a disappointing season, Walker knew there was a chance he might get moved to another club. He had no warning it would be the Brewers, however, and has been pleasantly surprised by his early experience with the energetic and surprising club.

“I’m just happy I’ve been able to contribute,” he said. “But I’m even more happy that we’ve played well since I came here and put ourselves in position to win games. That’s important this time of year.

“As a veteran player, you know first and foremost, it’s about the team, especially if you’re on a team that has a chance to make the playoffs and is competing at this time of year. I put all personal accomplishments on the back burner.”

Walker hopes to do likewise with any thoughts about where he’ll be playing next year. After seven seasons with his hometown team in Pittsburgh, it was an adjustment when he was dealt to New York after the 2015 season but he noted the Mets did him one favor by testing his versatility.

“As the season progressed in New York, as we kind of got out of the (playoff) race, I was very fortunate they bounced me around a little bit from second base to first base and third base,” he said. “That’s one thing, from a personal standpoint, that will help me moving forward.

“I haven’t really thought about it or where I want to be, who out there needs a second baseman or any of that. It makes it easy when you’re on a team like this that is competitive, day in and day out, and has a chance for the playoffs.

“Like I said, I am used to playing on year-to-year deals and not put pressure on myself. But, hopefully, that’s not the case. Hopefully, I can get myself a couple of years (on a deal) after this year.”

Which begs the question: What if the Brewers make an offer? Second base is unsettled at the present after Jonathan Villar lapsed into a season-long slump after being moved to that position. Should the Brewers choose not to give Villar another shot in 2017, they’ll have to find a second baseman somewhere.

“I’m open to that. We’ll see what happens,” Walker said. “I’m open to anything. As a guy who has played on year-to-year deals, it’s easy to focus on the here and now. As cliché as that is, that’s really where my focus is.

“Once the end of the year comes, I’ll be able to assess all scenarios and situations. Maybe this is an option.”