Walker Buehler's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings
Player profile
-
HT/WT6' 2'' , 185 lbs
-
Birthdate07/28/1994 (30)
-
CollegeVanderbilt
-
Draft InfoUndrafted
-
StatusInactive
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.