The New York Yankees are reportedly interested in Los Angeles Dodgers free agent starting pitchers Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler this offseason. Flaherty and Buehler both started in victories for the Dodgers against the Yankees in the World Series, and are now drawing interest from the team, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
The Yankees have already brought back their top pitcher, Gerrit Cole, this offseason, but are looking to add to the rotation.
Morosi reported that Buehler and the Yankees have mutual interest in each other. Buehler pitched six scoreless innings against the Yankees in the World Series, including the World Series clinching save in Game 5.
Buehler has drawn interest from other teams, as well. Though he went 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA during the 2024 regular season, his postseason performance has created more interest from teams in need of pitchers this offseason.
Morosi previously said that Buehler could be a fit with the Atlanta Braves, who are one of those teams in need of pitchers. Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said last week that the Athletics had discussions with Buehler, but Buehler did not want to play in Sacramento, California.
The Yankees reportedly had interest in acquiring Flaherty at the trade deadline, but the Detroit Tigers traded him to the Dodgers after New York backed out. Flaherty went on to go 6-2 with a 3.58 ERA and 61 strikeouts over 10 regular season starts with the Dodgers. He became especially important for the Dodgers heading into the postseason, as the Dodgers rotation became riddled with injuries.
Flaherty started Game 1 of the National League Championship Series and Game 1 of the World Series during the postseason, giving up two earned runs combined in those two starts. He did not have as much success in his other three World Series starts, including when he allowed four earned runs over 1.1 innings of Game 5 of the World Series. However, he was still a consistent option over the regular season, and without him, it would have been difficult to imagine the Dodgers winning the World Series.
