The Dodgers extended a qualifying offer to outfielder Teoscar Hernández on Monday, according to a person with knowledge of the situation but not authorized to speak publicly.
The real news, however, was their decision not to extend next year’s $21 million offer to Walker Buehler, officially making the pitcher a free agent.
If the Dodgers had made Buehler an offer, he would have had two weeks to decide whether to accept it and return to LA for another year under the $21 million salary, or turn it down and become a free agent would be. If Buehler had rejected the offer and then signed elsewhere, the Dodgers would have received draft compensation.
However, the Dodgers didn’t give Buehler that opportunity on Monday, allowing the World Series hero to test the open market.
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The Dodgers can still re-sign Buehler as a free agent. Before the World Series, Buehler expressed his desire to return to Los Angeles as well.
“I’m very happy to be a Los Angeles Dodger, and I would like to stay here as long as they want me,” he said.
But now it’s possible that Buehler’s save in Game 5 last Wednesday was also his final appearance with the team.
Buehler’s regular-season performance likely did not warrant a qualifying bid. Upon returning from second-career Tommy John surgery, Buehler went 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA.
But in the postseason, the 30-year-old played a key role in the Dodgers’ quest for a World Series, posting scoreless starts in the NL Championship Series and World Series before finishing Game 5 on one day’s rest.
But while the Dodgers repeatedly praised Buehler’s ability to perform during the playoffs, and could still use starting pitching reinforcements for the following season, they were unwilling to extend the $21 million offer to him — opening the door for left him open to sign elsewhere afterwards. season.
The Dodgers’ decision to extend Hernández, on the other hand, was expected. He will almost certainly reject the proposal with a more robust free agent market on the horizon. Like Buehler, Hernández has also expressed interest in staying with the team.
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
