Walker Buehler is not expected to return to the mound until May as he recovers fully from Tommy John surgery. Buehler missed the entire 2023 season, but he is expected to give the Dodgers a nice addition in the middle of the year.
He will be a free agent at the end of the year, but he isn't worrying about that. In fact, Buehler mentioned that he isn't focused on the money at all with his free agency looming.
“But now – look, I just want to be good and win. I’ve made money. My family is pretty comfortable. I think at some point those numbers are more ego than anything.”
Buehler is focused on getting himself back to being the best possible pitcher that he can be. Before his injury, he was one of the best in the league and was growing into the role of the Dodgers ace.
He spoke about how all his injuries have changed his perception of free agency. The most important part to Buehler is that he can still play the game he loves.
“I think when I first came up, that’s the goal – get to free agency. But I don’t necessarily think that it means what you think it means when you’re 22, 24 years old. To me, I feel very fortunate that this is my seventh season. Not because that means I get to free agency but because it’s another year that I get to wear a uniform and play. Maybe the injury changes the perspective on that a little bit – especially with last year being the first time I was like, ‘No, I’m going to do this’ and it didn’t work. There’s a little more fragility in your mind than probably there used to be.”
The Dodgers would likely love to re-sign Buehler, but he has to show that he can remain an effective pitcher first. This season will be a test to see how he responds to another surgery, but if he can return to being the dominant starter that we have become accustomed to, he should have his fair share of offers in free agency.
This will be a crucial season for Buehler, but the Dodgers are being cautious in their approach. They want him ready to go for the late-season push, so slow playing him now seems to be the correct way to go about everything.
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