The Los Angeles Dodgers have won at least 100 games in five seasons since 2017, and finished with the best record in baseball three of those years. With that much success over a long period of time comes a certain degree of self-confidence.
The Dodgers certainly had a lot of players with big personalities during the 2024 season, but perhaps none more so or quite as self-assured as Walker Buehler.
When asked by Mookie Betts who the biggest trash-talker in the Dodgers clubhouse is, manager Dave Roberts picked the right-hander, via the “On Base With Mookie Betts” podcast:
“Walker Buehler.”
Betts had his own pick for biggest trash-talker on the Dodgers roster in Austin Barnes, which Roberts agreed with to a certain extent:
“That’s a good one too. You know what? Austin talks a lot of trash, but it’s more with you guys. When I’m around, Buehler has no filter with anybody. Austin gives me the respect of he tempers it a little bit when I’m around. Buehler doesn’t care, and believe me, there’s shots fired his way from my mouth as well.”
Buehler has long established himself as a big personality who certainly doesn’t lack for confidence. Clayton Kershaw has often been among his Dodgers teammates who enjoyed publicly needling Buehler over his bravado.
After battling through a season full of trails and tribulations, Buehler came through the other side feeling as confident as ever after his performance in the postseason which included closing out Game 5 of the World Series.
Meanwhile, Barnes has put together quite the career in his own right as a valued role player in the Dodgers organization. Barnes has accumulated eight years of service time from 2015-2024, all with the Dodgers.
Barnes is the longest-tenured position player in the Dodgers organization and second only to Kershaw, who is expected to re-sign for his 18th season with the team.
Walker Buehler leaving Dodgers?
Buehler has been part of the Dodgers organization since getting drafted in the first round in 2015. Buehler made his MLB debut in 2017 and has been a mainstay in the rotation — injuries aside — since 2018.
But the 30-year-old is now a free agent and reportedly drawing interest from multiple teams that could lead to signing a multi-year contract the Dodgers may not match.
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