Why the Dodgers’ $10M World Series Hero Is Perfect for the Royals in Free Agency

The Kansas City Royals have had a couple of weeks to sit on their couches since the postseason run ended, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still locked in.

After a surprising 86-win season, the Royals are now a force to be reckoned with in the American League for years to come. They have a marquee superstar in Bobby Witt Jr. locked in for the next decade and a pitching staff that can go toe-to-toe with just about anyone in a playoff series.

However, this pitching staff could soon lose key starter Michael Wacha to free agency. Either way, the Royals have never had a starter at number five, meaning their rotation will always be one arm short until 2025.

The Royals, like everyone else, probably watched Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night. And what they saw from the winning pitcher had to be a very encouraging sign.

Los Angeles Dodgers starter Walker Buehler, who had a dismal regular season heading into his first-ever free agency, pitched five shutout innings against the New York Yankees in Game Three. Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Reimer recently named Buehler as one of them. free agents who “could become superstars” of new teams in 2025.

“It’s not just the 5.38 ERA Buehler has posted this season that shows he’s not the same guy he was after his second Tommy John surgery in 2022. the norm,” Rymer said.

“While he will be a rebuilding project either way, it would be interesting to see if another team other than the Dodgers could get Buehler throwing more sinkers and cutters. This isn’t a particularly common approach, but it certainly works for Corbin Burns. “

That’s not to say Buehler, 30, was never considered a superstar. He’s already been a two-time All-Star and has had monster playoff performances before, including a scoreless seven-inning game in the 2018 World Series. But missing 2023 with Tommy John and returning to an ERA over five in 2024 has lowered his price significantly.

Buehler is only expected to sign a one-year deal this winter, although he could very well push the price up a bit due to his recent playoff success. If that’s all it takes to land someone with Buehler’s track record in the majors, the Royals should jump at the opportunity.

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