The New York Yankees may be embracing the old saying, “If you can’t beat ’em, sign ’em.”
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported this week that the Yankees and free agent right-hander Walker Buehler of the Los Angeles Dodgers have “some mutual interest.” Morosi also highlighted that the Yankees are aiming to strengthen their rotation this offseason.
The 30-year-old Buehler, a two-time MLB All-Star, was a significant obstacle for the Yankees during this past postseason. He pitched five scoreless innings to earn the win for the Dodgers in Game 3 of the World Series against the Yankees, then returned in the ninth inning of Game 5 to secure the save and eliminate the Yankees from title contention.
While Buehler has a concerning injury history, including two Tommy John surgeries, and posted a high 5.38 ERA in the 2024 regular season, he is known for being a clutch playoff performer. This could make him a valuable addition for the Yankees on an incentive-laden contract. Additionally, the Yankees are a more appealing destination than another team recently reported to have interest in Buehler.
The New York Yankees may be adopting the old saying, “If you can’t beat ’em, sign ’em.”
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported this week that the Yankees and free-agent right-hander Walker Buehler of the Los Angeles Dodgers share “some mutual interest.” Morosi also noted that the Yankees are looking to bolster their rotation this offseason.
Buehler, a 30-year-old two-time MLB All-Star, was a major challenge for the Yankees in the recent postseason. He pitched five scoreless innings to secure the win for the Dodgers in Game 3 of the World Series against the Yankees, then returned in the ninth inning of Game 5 to close out the save and eliminate the Yankees from title contention.
Despite his troubling injury history, including two Tommy John surgeries, and a 5.38 ERA in the 2024 regular season, Buehler has built a reputation as a strong playoff performer. This makes him a potentially valuable addition to the Yankees, especially on an incentive-based contract. Furthermore, the Yankees remain a more attractive destination than another team that has also expressed interest in Buehler.