he spotlight of the Major League Baseball offseason has focused on Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes as the best arm available on the mound and on the announcement of the addition to the Top 3 of the free agent list of Japanese jewel Roki Sasaki, but there are many interesting options in the winter market.
One of the players who, while not among the most sought-after, could be a valuable pitcher to reinforce the rotation is Walker Buehler, who entered free agency after the Los Angeles Dodgers declined to extend him a $21.05 million qualifying offer that would give them the opportunity for a draft pick if Buehler signs with another team.
After missing nearly two years due to Tommy John surgery in 2022, Buehler had a tough regular season with the Dodgers, but began to regain his form and picked up the save to beat the Yankees in Game 5 and win the World Series.
Walker Buehler is 30 years old and began his career as a prospect for the Dodgers, which was cut short by the 2022 injury, but after being one of the heroes of the World Series he raised his stock to have one more tool to negotiate.
He could aim to achieve a one-year deal that allows him to prove his talent and that he regained his skills, and thus raise his value for a long-term contract in the 2025 offseason. According to Total Pro Sports these are the four teams where Buehler would fit best:
Chicago Cubs: It is the most interesting option, in which Walker Buehler would aspire to lead the rotation, in which he would share a team with Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad, although they are also in the search for Corbin Burnes.
New York Yankees: Another interesting destination is Yankee Stadium, where Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt are already assured, Marcus Stroman and Nestor Cortes are in doubt, and they cannot be out of the fight for Corbin Burnes and Roki Sasaki, but with an arm like Buehler’s they would be protected for any eventual injury.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Staying in a city where he is used to living and in a championship team could be a priority for Buehler, but the team is also after Corbin Burnes and Roki Sasaki, and they will also have to decide whether free agents Jack Flaherty, Klayton Kershaw and Buehler himself still have a place.
The team has room in its rotation and could offer him a one-year contract, after Max Fried is also a free agent and it is not clear if Spencer Strider will be available, after being in rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery.
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