The Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series in 2024 and are already preparing for 2025. However, they have not made a first attempt to keep one of their key players.

The Dodgers could not have won the World Series without the contributions of Walker Buehler. However, they did not extend him a qualifying offer before the deadline. Ken Rosenthal of the Athletics revealed that the Dodgers “didn’t want to force the issue with Buehler.” The qualifying offer would have been a one-year contract worth $21.05 million.

“With all the money the Dodgers are spending, why didn’t they just extend a qualifying offer to free agent right-hander Walker Buehler,” Rosenthal questioned. “Partly because Buehler probably would have said yes to the one-year, $21.05 million deal — and maybe not so happy.”

Buehler had the worst regular season of his career. His 5.38 ERA in 16 starts left many people wondering why the Dodgers continued to put him there. However, their rotation has been decimated by injuries. Buhler finished the year on a high note with a strong postseason. His last two starts spanned nine shutout innings and 11 strikeouts. He also earned the decisive save for the World Series title on an off day.

“The qualifying offer would have hurt Buehler in the market, leaving him with almost no choice but to accept. The Dodgers, as the team that will pay the luxury tax, would have received a pick only after the fourth round if he had refused,” Rosenthal wrote. “This way, Buehler can negotiate a multi-year deal with the team of his choice. It’s conceivable that team could be the Dodgers. But other teams could value Buehler more.”

The $21.05 million likely would have been more than Buehler would make in terms of AAV in free agency. The Dodgers could still keep him, but they also just signed Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million contract.

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