Latest rumors hint Dodgers' Walker Buehler could leap to NL Central

The Dodgers have a lot of starting pitching lined up for 2025. Arguably, too much; if, somehow, Shohei Ohtani, Clayton Kershaw, and Dustin May are all ready by Opening Day next year, LA will have seven rostered starters.

They've been aiming for six to keep giving Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in particular an extra day of rest between starts, and they could (and probably should) throw May to the bullpen, given how long it's been since he pitched. However, Andrew Friedman also alluded at Blake Snell's introductory press conference that the Dodgers would be aiming for overkill with the rotation, given all of the injuries this past season.

As things stand, though, the rotation appears to be set. That would preclude the re-additions of two 2024 Dodgers in Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler, the latter of whom set off a not insignificant wave of calls for a re-signing after his World Series heroics.

Buehler, who does not have a qualifying offer attached (the Dodgers did him a solid), has already been connected to a number of teams in free agency including, horrifyingly, the Yankees, but another has seemingly entered the fray. The possibility remains that Buehler could head to Chicago to join a few other former Dodgers.

Cubs reportedly showing interest in former Dodgers RHP Walker Buehler

The Cubs are desperately trying to shed payroll after another underwhelming season and are reportedly offering Cody Bellinger to anyone who's willing to listen. Bellinger picked up his player option for 2025 despite some rumors he'd leave Chicago behind, and now the Cubs are saddled with a $27.5 million commitment for a player who's back on the downswing after a surprising 2023 bounce back season.

Even if the Cubs can't get rid of Bellinger, Buehler could be a sound, affordable option. His regular season showing was concerning, to say the least, and certainly the reason the Dodgers haven't tried harder to keep him despite his NLCS and World Series performances. However, he's still as good a candidate as any for a bounce back year, and his struggles this season mean he should probably only expect a one- or two-year deal for around $11 million.

While there may still be some room for the Dodgers to re-sign Buehler, it feels unlikely. This one may be for the best; despite the clear sentimental fondness both the team and fans have for Buehler, it just doesn't look like there's room for him in LA anymore.