For the first time in his career and fresh off a World Series win, Los Angeles Dodgers starter Walker Buehler is now a free agent. Considering how the 2024 season ended, the right-hander may have multiple offers. There’s mutual interest between Buehler and the Dodgers, despite the fact that Los Angeles did not extend the starting pitcher a qualifying offer. However, given Buehler’s “big game” reputation, which was further cemented in the Dodgers’ Fall Classic victory over the New York Yankees, he will have multiple suitors this offseason.
Walker Buehler Free Agent Profile
A Regular Season to Forget
There was a time in the not-too-distant past when there were heated discussions of whether or not Buehler should make the postseason roster. The 30-year-old spent most of the first half of the season recovering from his second Tommy John surgery. When he came back, Buehler struggled to find his release point, as his 5.38 ERA and his high walk rate indicate. For a while, his 95 mph fastball seemed a thing of the past.
A Trip to the Injured List
In June, after taking a comebacker off his hip against the Colorado Rockies, Buehler landed on the injured list. To add insult to injury, it was his worst start of the season and he had the highest ERA on the Dodgers pitching staff. His absence was open-ended with no date certain to rejoin the team. While sidelined, Buehler went to Florida to work on his mechanics and refine his repertoire.
Upon his return in August, the right-hander’s pitch count and walk rate were still up. The number of innings per start was down. But the Dodgers had no choice but to be patient with Buehler. The injury-plagued state of the pitching staff forced their hand. There were flashes of the old Buehler toward the end of September, but the real test would come in October.
Déjà Vu
In his start in the National League Division Series against the rival San Diego Padres, Buehler’s inability to miss bats and shoddy defense behind him, the Dodgers were unable to overcome an early deficit. The Los Angeles bullpen and high-powered offense propelled them into the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets.
Night and Day
Apparently between the Division Series and the NLCS, Buehler found his stride. The right-hander pitched 13 scoreless innings the rest of the way, only walking four. He also struck out a baker’s dozen which is nearly half of the total batters he faced in the NLCS and the World Series combined. This included, out of necessity, a three-out save in the clinching Game 5 of the World Series, cementing Buehler’s name in Dodger lore forever.
Walker Buehler ended his season throwing 13 consecutive scoreless innings
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How Big is the Market?
There is no question that Buehler’s postseason success has caught other teams’s attention. The Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and San Diego Padres are all said to be interested in the right-hander’s services. These are teams who are all looking for that big arm with the shutdown arsenal to push them to a World Series championship. Don’t forget the Dodgers, who know better than anyone what the big-game pitcher brings to the table.
Questions Remain
However, there are still questions to be answered. Can Buehler, who thrives in the big games and the postseason’s bright lights. stay healthy for an extended period of time? Perhaps more importantly, can he replicate his success over a bigger sample size of seasons to warrant a lucrative contract?
One thing is certain. A team will sign the first-time free agent for the chance to taste champagne at the end of October next year.
Photo Credit: © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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