Predicting Yankees, Dodgers Players to Sign New Contracts After 2024 MLB World Series
The eyes of the baseball world are on Juan Soto and his impending historic deal as the most coveted free agent this off-season, but there are other New York Yankees and world champion Los Angeles Dodgers potentially facing new deals.
Who are they and where might they continue their careers?
Find out with these predictions.
Walker Buehler
Buehler started four playoff games this postseason, going 1-1 with an ERA 3.60, 13 strikeouts, 15 innings pitched, and one save.
That save came in the deciding game of the World Series, where he sat down two to preserve the game and win the world title for the Dodgers.
The free agent spoke to the media after that game, expressing his desire to stay in Los Angeles and putting some of the onus on the team.
"The first step in all that stuff is on the team and that will happen really quickly one way or the other," he said.
There will be any number of teams looking to upgrade their starting rotation by adding someone with the experience and championship resume of Buehler, who now has two World Series rings to his name, not the least of which would be the team he defeated to earn his latest, the Yankees.
Count the Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, and New York Mets as teams with a clear need at the position.
Of course, that is all dependent upon the Dodgers not reaching out and offering Buehler a deal to stay and, hopefully, help chase the a third world championship.
Buehler will sign a new deal, for a substantial amount of money. The only question is whether it will be with the incumbent team or if the 30-year-old will continue his career elsewhere.
Anthony Rizzo
The New York Yankees declined first-baseman Anthony Rizzo's contract, making the veteran a free agent and ensuring that he will sign a new deal this off-season if he wishes to continue his playing career.
Despite making it clear that he did not want to leave the organization, the team "essentially decided he was not worth an extra $11 million; he could have been brought back for $17 million and was bought out for $6 million," per Mark W. Sanchez of The New York Post.
Sanchez reported that Rizzo "intends to play," despite a 2024 that did not go his way, thanks to injuries.
The question is...where?
Rizzo could return to the Yankees but would have to do so on a team-friendly deal and, likely, only if the team misses out on Juan Soto or fails to sign another player at first base, such as Pete Alonso of the across-town Mets.
The former Chicago Cub, with whom he won the World Series, hit just eight home runs, drove in just 35, and struggled his way to a .288 average and .636 OPS.
The Cubs are certainly a team that could decide to bring Rizzo back as they look for an upgrade at the first base but those injuries and his age (35) make him a risky signing at one of the more important positions on the diamond.
A passionate player whose admiration and respect for the Yankees organization is clear, he told reporters what it means to wear the pinstripes after Game 5 of the World Series.
"To wear this jersey is something special that I wish every baseball player gets to feel, because it's a different feeling, wearing this jersey."
His love for the organization likely earns him a chance to continue his career in the Bronx, even if it means taking a pay cut.
Teoscar Hernández
Teoscar Hernández capped off a season in which he won the Home Run Derby, drove in his most RBI since 2021, and scored 84 runs on 160 hits in 589 at bats, with a World Series Championship.
The 32-year-old is coming off one of the better seasons of his career and will be seeking a considerable payday this off-season, one with a long-term commitment to go along with the dollars.
Still, as Jack Harris wrote for the Los Angeles Times, Hernández remains hopeful that he can get a deal done with the team he helped carry to a world championship.
"My hopes are really high. Like I've said before, the Dodgers are the priority, obviously. I'm going to do everything in my power to come back."
The veteran left fielder should be one of the more coveted free agents, thanks to all that he brings at the plate, as well as what he can do defensively. He accumulated a .989 fielding percentage in 2024, with just three errors in 135 games.
The Dodgers figure to be in on several key free agents this off-season, including Soto and starting pitcher Corbin Burnes, but the key to successfully retaining their title will come in their ability to recognize who was essential to their magical season and doing what is necessary to bring them back.
Hernández is one such player.
He gets a deal done with the Dodgers this offseason and returns for a shot at a repeat.