Yankees reportedly interested in signing big playoff enemy

Aug 14, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of a New York Yankees hat and glove on the bench against the Atlanta Braves in the third inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees may be turning to the old adage of, “If you can’t beat ’em, sign ’em.”

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports this week that the Yankees share “some mutual interest” with Los Angeles Dodgers free agent right-hander Walker Buehler. Morosi notes that the Yankees are looking to bolster their rotation this offseason.

The 30-year-old Buehler, a two-time MLB All-Star, was a major thorn in the Yankees’ side this past postseason. He fired five scoreless innings to earn the win for the Dodgers in Game 3 of the World Series against the Yankees and then returned in the ninth inning of Game 5 to get the save and officially eliminate the Yankees from title contention.

While Buehler has an obviously troubling injury history (with two Tommy John procedures under his belt) and posted a bloated 5.38 ERA in the 2024 regular season, he is a big-time playoff performer who could make sense for the Yankees on an incentive-laden contract. The Yankees are also a much more desirable destination than this other outside team that was recently reported to have interest in Buehler.