Yankees show interest in pitcher who shutout them in World Series

Walker Buehler threw the final pitch of the 2024 season, ending the Dodgers’ road win. Yankees in the World Series at Yankee Stadium.

There’s a chance his next at-bat will be in the same ballpark in a Yankees uniform.

The Yankees and the free-agent right-hander have “common interests” with each other, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi.

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner recently bought the Yankees Prioritizing the sales pitch this winter. Juan Soto sweepstakes is at the top of the list, but bolstering the starting rotation and adding at the back of the bullpen is always a must.

“I don’t think you can ever make enough shots,” Steinbrenner said. “We’re going to take a deep dive into the starting rotation, into the bullpen.”

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Buehler returned from his second Tommy John surgery in 2024 with a poor performance in the regular season. He posted a career-worst 5.38 ERA with a 1-6 record in 75 1/3 innings.

Those struggles continued in Buehler’s postseason debut. He gave up six earned runs on five hits in a loss to the Padres in Game 3 of the National League Division Series, putting Los Angeles on the brink of elimination.

But Buehler at least finished his season on a high note with multiple clutch performances. He shutout the Mets for four innings in the third game of the National League Championship Series, pitched five scoreless innings in Game 3 of the World Series, and then closed the door with a scoreless inning and a save in Game 5 two days later. short rest.

The Yankees could bet in Buehler’s favor — he’s just a few years away from finishing fourth in the NL Cy Young Award race with L.A. — and sign him to a short-term deal. An alternative would be to invest heavily in a top-tier starter in free agency, like Corbin Burnes or Blake Snell, which may be more expensive and more of a commitment.

Buehler, 30, has been battle-tested from his years with the Dodgers and could be on track to have a strong rebound season coming off elbow surgery while working in the Yankees’ well-respected pitching department. They could package a short deal with incentives for Buehler and give him a chance to earn more based on his performance. Still, there’s an obvious risk in signing a pitcher who’s had two Tommy John surgeries.

As of now, the Yankees have six starting pitchers, a surplus that was evident during their World Series run last month. Ace Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil won the award American League Rookie of the Year AwardA shape that will be a lock in the rotation next spring. Nestor Cortes and Marcus Stroman are also under contract.