Walker Buehler Looking For Multi-Year Deal With Opt-Outs
According to Buster Olney of ESPN, free agent starting pitcher Walker Buehler is looking for a multi-year deal with opt-outs on the market. After having a rocky regular season holding a 5.38 ERA and 1.55 WHIP, Buehler played an integral role during Los Angeles' World Series run, posting a solid 3.60 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP across 15 innings of work. Earlier in his career, the right-hander showed high upside, making two All-Star games and logging a career-high 207 2/3 innings to the tune of a 2.47 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in the 2021 campaign. Olney notes that given his strong finish, the 30-year-old could enjoy a nice bounce-back campaign in 2025, which could set him up for a nice payday in 2026 if his contract includes opt-outs. Olney also stated that the Yankees expressed interest in him before signing Max Fried and that the Red Sox, Tigers, and Giants have also kicked the tires on him.
The Detroit Tigers have interest in signing free-agent right-hander Walker Buehler this offseason. However, Buehler has the potential to command a two-year deal with an opt-out clause after the first year, which isn't really what the Tigers are looking for. Starting pitching isn't cheap this offseason, and although Buehler struggled in his return from Tommy John surgery in 2024 during the regular season, he's a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion. The 30-year-old had a rough 5.38 ERA with 28 walks and 64 strikeouts in 75 1/3 innings (16 starts) for LA in his return from his second Tommy John surgery of his career. Most of his issues came from his fastball velocity being down, but if Buehler can find his fastball again, he could easily be one of the best values on the starting pitching market this offseason. Buehler did toss 10 scoreless innings in his final three games in October.
According to the New York Post's Joel Sherman, the New York Mets have shown interest in signing free-agent right-hander Walker Buehler this offseason after just signing veteran right-hander Frankie Montas for their starting rotation. The Montas signing and the fact they are interested in Buehler signals that the Mets aren't playing at the top of the starting pitching market for big names like Corbin Burnes and Max Fried. Even after struggling to a 5.38 ERA with a weak 18.6% strikeout rate in 75 1/3 innings during the regular season in his return from Tommy John surgery, plenty of pitching-needy teams are in on Buehler this offseason, including the Athletics. The fact that Buehler showed added velocity and looked much better in the Dodgers' World Series run in October is helping his cause. Even if Buehler doesn't rediscover his pre-injury form, he could be a quite attractive value play in fantasy drafts if he lands in the right situation.
MLB Network's Jon Morosi reports that the Atlanta Braves have some interest in signing free-agent right-hander Walker Buehler this winter. Left-hander Max Fried and veteran right-hander Charlie Morton are both free agents and may not be back in Atlanta, while right-handed ace Spencer Strider is still recovering from right-elbow surgery that kept him sidelined for most of 2024. Buehler didn't look so great in his initial return from Tommy John surgery during the regular season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he looked much better in the postseason in October and has Kentucky roots, so a return close to home could be appealing. Morosi also mentions the Chicago Cubs as a possibility to land Buehler this offseason. The 30-year-old picked up the save in the World-Series clinching victory of the Yankees and he'll be looking to bounce back in 2025 after going 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA in 16 regular-season starts.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler was tasked to record the final three outs in the Game 5 of the World Series. Buehler previously got the starting nod in Game 3 of the World Series but was available out of the bullpen on Wednesday. In the final frame, the 30-year-old got Anthony Volpe to ground out and then proceeded to strike out the next two batters, Austin Wells and Alex Verdugo en route to winning his second World Series. This postseason, Buehler logged 15 innings to the tune of a 3.60 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. During the regular season, the right-hander carried a 5.38 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed on Monday that right-hander Walker Buehler will make the start in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday at Citi Field against the New York Mets. Buehler will look to be much better than he was his last time out in Game 3 of the NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres last week, when he gave up six runs in five innings without a strikeout. It was a rough 2024 season for the 30-year-old two-time All-Star after returning from Tommy John surgery, as he went 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA (5.54 FIP), a 1.55 WHIP and a 64:28 K:BB in 75 1/3 innings over his 16 starts during the regular season. His strikeout rate (18.6%) was a career-low, while his 8.1% walk rate was his highest mark since his rookie season in 2017. Buehler will certainly be a risky DFS play on the road on Wednesday.
Walker Buehler Set To Start Game 3 Of NLDS For Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler will make his first start of the postseason on Tuesday when he faces Michael King in Game 3 of the NLDS. Buehler will be in tough against a Padres lineup that just put up 10 runs against Jack Flaherty and the Dodgers bullpen. Buehler has had a tough year, pitching to a 5.38 ERA and 1.55 WHIP while earning just one win in 16 starts. He did pitch better in September, but he will need to find another level if he hopes to shut down the Padres offense.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (hip) has been activated from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday. The 30-year-old is finally back after being sidelined since the middle of June due to a hip issue. Buehler will get the ball against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. Before going down, Buehler had a 5.84 ERA, 1.51 WHIP across eight starts this season. Fantasy managers in season long formats can get Buehler get in their lineups. However, DFS players might want to look elsewhere as Buehler could struggle in his first start back against a good Brewers lineup.
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (hip) will likely come off the 15-day injured list to rejoin the starting rotation next Thursday in Milwaukee to face the first-place Brewers. Buehler looked much better in his final minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, giving up only one run while striking out five in 5 1/3 innings (85 pitches). The 30-year-old veteran shouldn't be on a pitch count when he returns to the Dodgers' rotation, but that doesn't mean he won't be a shaky fantasy option against a tough opponent on the road. Buehler looked far from his pre-Tommy John form when he initially returned to LA's rotation, going 1-4 with a 5.84 ERA, a 1.51 WHIP and a 31:10 K:BB in eight starts covering 37 innings. Fantasy managers will be hoping some mechanical tweaks during his time away will help him rebound to close out the season.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (hip) made his third and final rehab start on Thursday, working 5 IP and tossing 85 pitches for Triple-A Oklahoma. The 30-year-old looked good in this one, allowing just one hit and one run while striking out five and walking three. Buehler has been recovering from left hip inflammation that has kept him out of action since mid-June, but he appears to be set to return to the Dodgers rotation sometime next week. Although this was a solid start, he has had a rough season and hasn't been great on his rehab assignment either, so Buehler will need to show he still has what it takes before being inserted back into fantasy lineups.
