Among all the current Los Angeles Dodgers free agents, Walker Buehler’s market seems to be developing the quickest.
Buehler struggled for most of the 2024 season but started to improve late in the year and carried that performance into the postseason.
Buehler ended up finishing off his year with 10 consecutive scoreless innings, including a fantastic start in the World Series and closing out Game 5.
That sample, while small, appears to have intrigued multiple clubs. One of those teams is the New York Yankees, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, and there is mutual interest between both the club and Buehler:
“I’ve been told there’s at least some mutual interest between Walker Buehler and the New York Yankees. … We know the New York Yankees, with some comings and goings in their rotation, they are looking for rotation help.”
Buehler seemingly has a preference to stay in Los Angeles, but he also needs to keep all his options open. Baseball is a business first and foremost, and what he wants may ultimately not work out.
The Dodgers reportedly have kept an open line of communication about a possible return, but they also seem more focused on the top free agent options, such as Blake Snell, Corbin Burnes and Max Fried. Roki Sasaki’s impending free agency will also become a primary focus for them.
Other teams, including the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs, have also checked in on Buehler and expressed interest in signing him. The former may be a more likely landing spot him than the latter due to Buehler’s primary goal of competing for championships.
The Athletics also made an attempt to sign Buehler, but he dismissed their interest and declined to play in Sacramento.
Buehler, who was coming off a second career Tommy John surgery, finished the 2024 season with a 5.38 ERA across 75.1 innings while posting a career-worst 10.5% strikeout-to-walk rate. His stuff is no longer what it once was and returning to ace status seems unlikely, but Buehler can still be a solid contributor on any team with a strong playoff pedigree.
Walker Buehler lied to Mark Prior during World Series
Buehler revealed on Mookie Betts’ podcast he lied to Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior about throwing before going to the bullpen to warm up in Game 5 so he could pitch the ninth inning.
Buehler had previously shared he informed the Dodgers front office and coaching staff the morning of Game 5 that he would be available out of the bullpen.
He ended up striking out two of the three batters he faced on 16 pitches en route to his first Major League save. It capped off a remarking postseason run for both him and the Dodgers.
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