Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker talks about the team coming up short in MLB playoff contention and his contract situation.

First baseman Christian Walker declined the Diamondbacks' qualifying offer on Tuesday, which means the club would be in line to receive a compensatory draft pick if Walker signs elsewhere.

The move was expected. Walker is viewed as the second-most appealing free-agent first baseman on the market behind only slugger Pete Alonso. Walker might be the better all-around player, but he is more than 3 1/2 years older than Alonso.

The qualifying offer was for one year at $21.05 million, a value determined by calculating the average of the 125 highest-paid players last season.

If Walker signs elsewhere on a deal worth more than a guaranteed $50 million, the Diamondbacks would receive a comp pick after the first round. If he signs for less than $50 million, the pick would come before the start of the third round.

On the flip side, declining the qualifying offer could serve as something of a drag on Walker's market. Clubs will have to give up a draft pick and/or forfeit international bonus pool money in exchange for signing him.

The Diamondbacks have said they would love to bring Walker back, but that seems unlikely to happen unless his market fails to develop as expected. It is unclear to what level the Diamondbacks have engaged in contract talks with him beyond the qualifying offer.

Pavin Smith could be a candidate to receive at-bats at first base in Walker's absence, though with the Diamondbacks also potentially losing free-agent Joc Pederson, they might look to shore up the first base/designated hitter positions via trade or free agency.