The moment was already destined to Dodgers traditions.
Walker Bühlerarms outstretched, strutting on the Yankee Stadium mound, a World Series title just obtained thanks to his trademark, the knuckle-curveball.
Now the scene will also be a farewell image for Buehler’s distinguished tenure with the club.
On Monday, Buehler agreed to a one-year contract worth $21.05 million with the Boston Red Sox, as first reported by Yahoo Sports, officially ending a seven-year streak with the Dodgers that included tantalizing highs (two All-Star selections, two World Series titles and from 2018 to 2021, the fourth-best ERA in the majors), injury-plagued lows (including two surgery Tommy John that derailed his rise as the next great Dodgers ace) and a fitting final act, with Buehler’s iconic save in Game 5 of the World Series turning out to be his last game in a Dodgers uniform.
It’s a departure that, for most of this year, was expected, as Buehler points out. struggled mightily in the regular season, returning from his second Tommy John procedure.
However, despite going 1-6 and having a career-worst 5.38 ERA, Buehler slipped into the Dodgers’ postseason rotation amid a series of other pitching injuries and delivered a way he didn’t really expect. Four white sleeves a victory in the third match in the National League Championship Series. Five impeccable frames in Game 3 of the Fall Classic. And then, on a single day of rest, a relief appearance of 16 lengths to close a championship.
For the first time in three years, flashes of Buehler’s once-dominant form returned.
And for a moment, a path for the impending free agent to re-sign in Los Angeles seemed to emerge.
“What Walker did, what he did for us, what he did for us this year, for his teammates, it’s not lost on us,” the general manager said. Brandon Gomes said last month.
Alas, the chances of such a meeting were dashed in the first week of the offseason, when the Dodgers decided not to extend a one-year qualifying offer worth $21.05 million to the 30-year-old right-hander.
The move allowed Buehler to hit the open market without the burden of a draft penalty. And, as the Dodgers looked elsewhere to bolster their rotation, they signed two-time Cy Young Award winners. Blake Snell to a $182 million contract and remains in the drawing for the 23-year-old Japanese star pitcher Roki Sasaki – it became clear that Buehler probably wouldn’t fit into their 2025 plans.
“I think there’s no better way to go out if I do,” Buehler said on the eve of the Fall Classic, when asked if 2024 could be his final season with the Dodgers, “only after, hopefully, a successful World Series.”
The Dodgers’ decision not to offer Buehler a QO — which was virtually the same amount he would have received from the Red Sox — sparked some industry surprise.
In a vacuum, Buehler’s regular season performance might not have justified such a salary. The dark history of the two Tommy John pitchers also added to the risk.
Still, Buehler was perhaps the best homegrown success story of this era of Dodgers baseball, going from a first-round draft pick out of Vanderbilt in 2017 to an integral member of the team. club 2020 and 2024 championship teams.
This year’s October exploits rekindled fans’ love for the ever-confident veteran pitcher, as evidenced by the raucous reception he received at the team. championship parade last month while putting on the vintage jersey that Orel Hersisher – one of his longtime mentors within the organization – had worn in the 1988 World Series.
At various times before this offseason, Buehler had expressed a desire to remain in Los Angeles, saying before the World Series, “I’m very happy to be a Los Angeles Dodger and I would love to stay here as long as possible.” they will get me.
Even then, Buehler hinted that the team’s QO decision would likely dictate his chances of returning.
“The first step in all of this is the team,” he said of his upcoming free agency. “And it will happen very quickly one way or another.”
While the Dodgers remained willing to bring Buehler back even after declining to offer him a QO, market dynamics still seemed likely to result in a split. Because Beuhler did not receive a QO, other teams were not forced to give up a draft pick to sign him. And as a talented arm with an excellent postseason track record, he has become an intriguing option for other contenders looking to fill out their rotations.
Where he could have been a superfluous signing for a Dodgers team that is already well past the highest luxury tax threshold and will get Shohei Ohtani, Dustin May And Tony Gonsolin Returning from injury next season, Buehler could now be a missing piece for the playoff-hungry Red Sox, who finished last season five games out of the American League wild-card picture.
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“The last few months,” Buehler said amid his postseason resurgence, “I’ve kind of built up my confidence a little bit to the point where there will be some teams that want me on their team. I feel as a major league starting pitcher, whether here or elsewhere.
On Monday, the latter officially became reality.
Walker Buehler is no longer a Dodger. His championship-winning curveball will be the lasting memory of his tenure with the team.
“I’ve played my whole career here, I love playing here,” Buehler said during the World Series. “I wouldn’t have done it any other way.”
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This story was originally published in Los Angeles Times.
