Thinking About Buehler and the Cubs
So, I saw this talk pop up online, you know, the idea that Walker Buehler could actually leave the Dodgers and end up with the Cubs. First thing I did, I just kinda sat back and thought about it for a bit. Doesn’t feel right, does it? Buehler feels like such a Dodger.
But then I started digging into why it might even be a conversation. Here’s what went through my head:
- The Money Situation: Buehler’s gonna be a free agent after this season. That’s the big one. And he’s coming off his second Tommy John surgery. That always makes teams nervous, especially when it comes time to write a big check.
- Dodgers’ Payroll: Let’s be real, the Dodgers have a boatload of money tied up. Ohtani, Yamamoto, Betts, Freeman… it’s a huge payroll. Maybe, just maybe, they decide they can’t afford another massive deal for a pitcher with Buehler’s injury history, even if he is homegrown.
- Cubs Need Pitching: Then I looked at the Cubs. They definitely need starting pitching help. They lost Stroman. They’ve got some young arms, but adding a guy with Buehler’s potential ceiling? That’s gotta be tempting for their front office, especially after hiring Counsell. Shows they might be serious about competing.
So, I mapped out those points. Makes a little sense on paper, right? A team needing an ace, a player heading to free agency, a current team with lots of financial commitments. You can see how the dots could connect.
But then I started thinking about the other side. Why it probably won’t happen.
- Dodger History: Buehler’s been part of some huge moments for LA. World Series champ. Big game pitcher. Letting a guy like that walk, especially if he comes back healthy and looks good this year? Seems unlikely for a team built to win constantly.
- The Risk for the Cubs: Signing a pitcher after a second TJ surgery to a big contract? That’s a massive gamble. The Cubs haven’t always been the team to take those kinds of huge financial risks lately. They might prefer safer bets.
- Buehler’s Performance: A lot depends on how Walker actually pitches in 2024. If he comes back looking like his old self, his price tag goes way up, and the Dodgers will probably fight hard to keep him. If he struggles, maybe the Cubs wouldn’t want him anyway.
After weighing all that, running through the pros and cons in my head, I landed here: It’s mostly speculation right now. Fun to talk about during the offseason or early parts of the season, sure. But the Dodgers letting him go? And the Cubs being the team to swoop in with a giant offer given the injury risk? Feels like a long shot to me based on how these teams usually operate. I spent a good chunk of time just thinking through the logic, trying to see it from both sides. My process basically involved hearing the rumor, breaking down the ‘why’, then breaking down the ‘why not’, and finally settling on my own gut feeling. For now, I’m thinking Buehler stays put or goes somewhere else less talked about, but hey, baseball surprises you sometimes.
