Dodgers might've bailed out Yankees in possible Walker Buehler free agency pursuit

As the New York Yankees reel from their embarrassing World Series loss, changes are on the horizon with the organization already making important decisions on a number of players, including Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rizzo, Luke Weaver and Lou Trivino.

Cole is back after some bizarre opt-out clause nonsense, but he'll need help around him. Carlos Rodón is, plain and simple, not a No. 2. Clarke Schmidt is a back-end arm until proven otherwise. Same with Marcus Stroman. Luis Gil has a big development campaign ahead of him. Nestor Cortes is dealing with an elbow issue that could be concerning for 2025.

Though the Yankees might deem this group "enough" for next year, considering the offense and defense let them down this year, it never hurts to stockpile more pitching. And it definitely never hurts swiping someone from the team that just beat you.

After eight years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Walker Buehler is officially a free agent. And he won't have draft pick compensation tied to him because the Dodgers opted not to give him the qualifying offer.

That could help the Yankees big time if they're looking for a low-risk, high-reward option. Buehler hasn't been himself since 2021, but he might have just shown signs of a massive rebound after his heroic postseason showing.

Yankees Rumors: Could Walker Buehler be a target in free agency?

The Yankees have enough money tied up in the rotation with Cole, Rodón and Stroman, so it's possible they'll be looking for short-term options, one of whom could be Buehler. The right-hander has made just 28 starts since the beginning of 2022 due to multiple injuries and surgeries. While that's a concern, Buehler could be out of the woods after what he just showed the world.

The veteran finished the playoffs with a 13-inning scoreless streak and has now surrendered just one earned run in 19 career World Series innings. Sounds like the kind of big-game pitcher the Yankees could use without having to invest $100+ million, right?

Though we'd probably bet Buehler returns to the Dodgers given the longstanding relationship, it's not official until it happens. LA gave Teoscar Hernández the qualifying offer but didn't express similar confidence in Buehler, who had a 5.38 ERA in 16 regular-season starts.

There's also the reality that the Dodgers didn't feel Buehler was worth $21 million for one year, which may not sit easy with the former first-round pick. He was probably always looking for a short-term deal to rebuild his value after the ill-timed injuries, but he's definitely not settling for less on that front. Couple that with the Dodgers' very real payroll obstacles, and Buehler hitting free agency with no draft pick compensation attached to him will help him find an outside suitor more easily.

Hear that, Cashman? Time to get some more winners in the building. Providing Buehler with a winning environment and a favorable one-year salary could be the start of the Yankees solving their championship problems.