Top 3 Free Agent Landing Spots For Walker Buehler

After his stellar performance in the playoffs and World Series, and his past history as an ace of their staff, it was somewhat surprising on Monday when the Los Angeles Dodgers declined their $21 million option on Walker Buehler.

Perhaps the impending return of Shohei Ohtani to the mound next year, along with the injury returns of Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin led the Dodgers feel that they didn't need to.

But if he indeed is back now to being the Walker Buehler, he will get a ton of attention on the free agent market.

Here are the top 3 landing spots for Buehler:

New York Mets

The Mets have a rotation problem this offseason. 3/5ths of their 2024 starting staff are now free agents: Luis Severino, Jose Quintana and Sean Manaea. They will have to spend some money to replenish the rotation. Buehler's playoff performance was a big step in showing that he could be back to being a big-time ace come 2025.

Atlanta Braves

They could be losing Max Fried to free agency this winter. The Braves have proven expert at reviving sagging careers, as they did this year with Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez. Buehler had a very rough first regular season back from Tommy John, posting a 5.38 ERA i 2024. But with his playoff outings, that's more than enough for the Braves to work with.

Los Angeles Dodgers

As a team that prides itself on World Series or Bust, it would be surprising if the Dodgers don't at least try to bring Buehler back on a new free agent deal, given his World Series history, which is impeccable.

Walker Buehler has given up ONE run in 19 career World Series innings!!!! (0.47 ERA) pic.twitter.com/yjU4LL6xEe
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 4, 2024