Why Didn’t The Dodgers Bring Back Walker Buehler?
The news of Walker Buehler agreeing to a one-year, $21.05 million deal with the Boston Red Sox might still sting for some Los Angeles Dodgers fans, but reality has a way of putting things into perspective
Buehler has been one of the consistent arms in the starting rotation since his first full season in 2018. Now, he will be wearing a different uniform for the first time in his professional career.
Read more: Dodgers’ Walker Buehler to Sign $21.05 Million Deal With AL Rival: Report
While the right-hander was considered a World Series hero when he recorded the final three outs of Game 5 against the New York Yankees, the Dodgers were ready to move on. No hard feelings, but there is simply no room for him in the starting rotation going forward.
The Dodgers are predicted to use a six-man rotation in 2025 with the return of Shohei Ohtani to the mound and the addition of Blake Snell. Plus, the club is in the running for Japanese free agent Roki Sasaki.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow are solidified in the rotation. Tony Gonsolin wrapped up the season in good health and might be a viable rotation piece. Dustin May’s future role remains uncertain, and a shift to the bullpen could prove beneficial for him. Young arms like Bobby Miller, Ben Casparius, Landon Knack, and Justin Wrobleski are also expected to compete for opportunities. Then there is Clayton Kershaw, who is likely to rejoin the team eventually.
With all of those starters in mind, the Dodgers needed to reflect on the regular season which didn’t go well for Buehler. Coming off his second Tommy John surgery, Buehler had difficulty recapturing his pre-injury form throughout much of 2024. Over 75.1 innings, he posted a career-worst 5.38 ERA, a 4.68 expected ERA, an 18.6 percent strikeout rate, an 8.1 percent walk rate, and allowed 1.91 home runs per nine innings. Although his fastball velocity returned to its 2021-22 levels, the sharpness in generating swings and misses and inducing chases was noticeably absent.
The Dodgers didn’t extend a qualifying offer to the right-hander, giving him the opportunity to explore free agency for the first time. It turns out that the contract Buehler signed is for the exact amount the qualifying offer would have been. Buehler’s regular season performance just didn’t warrant that kind of payday from Los Angeles.
Although Buehler isn’t a Dodger anymore, he will forever be one of the franchise’s postseason heroes.
More news: Dodgers GM Reveals Latest Update on Clayton Kershaw
Photo Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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Sure hope they know something that we don’t. Like Sasaki is coming or C Burnes is coming otherwise they should have kept him for a qualifying offer. Also need T Scott to keep up with what the Yankees have done! The team is great but needs to constantly improve or get surpassed. Lets Geaux Dodgers!
I think the Dodgers made a mistake. Yes, he had a below average season, agreed. But in the playoffs when it matters after the horrible start against the Padres he stepped up big time. In the next three games, 10 innings pitched, 5 hits, 13 strikeouts, and shut the door on the Yankees. His last 3 games got him another year in my mind. Big game pitcher, I would start him over any Dodger current pitcher in a big game. May, Goslin, Knack, Miller, and Glasnow. All uncertainty, even Yamamoto had a horrible start before being lights out.
The Dodgers have a strange way of showing appreciation toward Beuhler. They let him go. He’s the best post season pitcher they have. All he did was clinch the World Series for you. They wouldn’t have won without him. I’m really going to miss him. He had a little bit of Don Drysdale in him.
I agree with the other 2 comments. With looking at all of the injuries and vagaries and inconsistencies, I honestly think you can’t have too many starting pitchers.
Buehler finally – FINALLY – was healthy and we saw what he could do at the end of the season and in the high pressure situations in the playoffs. Anyone who whines about him having 2 TJ surgeries seems to conveniently forget Ohtani has had 2 as well.
Buehler also said he would have signed with a QO from LA. I love Kershaw, but he’s nowhere near as good these days and he declined his player option, yet they will bring him back and let Buehler walk? I hate this shortsighted move.
what about Gavin Stone? and that other young lefty who needs TJ and will miss all of 2025? as for Walker, he is way too injury prone (2 TJ’s) and thus risky for Dodgers to re-sign him. don’t make the same mistake twice.