Walker’s Windfall: Cubs and Mets Prepare to Break the Bank for Prized Pitcher

There’s yet to be any movement with Los Angeles Dodgers free agents this offseason, though that may soon change for the likes of Walker Buehler, Jack Flaherty and Teoscar Hernández.

Multiple starting pitchers have already signed, including the Dodgers adding Blake Snell, and the overall market is in good standing. Hernández should come off the board once Juan Soto’s decision is made, and it’s expected the Dodgers will re-sign the franchise’s first Home Run Derby champion.

Flaherty openly expressed a strong desire to remain with the Dodgers as well, and it’s believed Buehler would be open to that too.

According to Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, Buehler’s market of interested teams has grown to include the Chicago Cubs.

Adding one more credible option to the rotation mix is likely for the Cubs. If that goal is accomplished in the next few weeks, it would likely have occurred via trade. But if that addition comes through free agency, the Cubs would probably wait out this current rush to sign starting pitchers, which has led to skyrocketing price tags.

For example, the Cubs have kept Walker Buehler on their radar, though the soaring cost of arms may have pushed the right-hander out of their preferred range.

The Cubs already have been involved in the starting pitching market by signing Matthew Boyd to a two-year, $29 million contract.

In addition to the Cubs, the New York Mets, Athletics and New York Yankees have been connected to Buehler so far in free agency. The Mets also are believed to have inquired on Flaherty as they look to continue filling out their rotation.

Buehler reportedly is open to signing with the Yankees, who could go a multitude of ways if they fail to re-sign Soto.

Walker Buehler not extended qualifying offer

Of the group of Dodgers free agents, only Hernández was extended a qualifying offer for the 2025 season. Buehler not receiving the one-year contract was somewhat of a surprise, though the decision could be traced to the Dodgers perhaps trying to avoid committing to a $21.05 million salary for the right-hander.

However, the bigger factor and primary aspect behind the decision appears to have been the Dodgers not wanting to suppress Buehler’s market or force his hand into returning under those terms.