Kotsay: A’s were in contact with free agent Walker Buehler
Nov 22, 2024, 10:29 AM
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
After collecting the final out of the 2024 World Series, Walker Buehler will be in line for a new deal this offseason.
The longtime Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander is free to sign with any team following seven years in Southern California, and one club has stated its interest as we inch closer to the MLB Winter Meetings (December 8th).
While speaking to the media at USC’s Sports Business Administration Summit this week, Athletics manager Mark Kotsay relayed that the team had talked to Buehler about a free agent deal.
While the A’s are making it clear that they intend to be competitive in the coming years, the team’s relocation from Oakland to West Sacramento, where they will play the next three seasons in a minor-league stadium, could be an issue for prospective free agent signings.
Kotsay said that playing in Sacramento wasn’t of interest to Buehler, who will undoubtedly have several suitors on the market this fall and winter.
Is this the start of an eventual long-standing issue with the A’s, or will they simply have to overpay to attract major-league-level talent to play at Sutter Health Park?
At USC’s SBA Summit, Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said the A’s were talking to Walker Buehler but he didn’t want to play in Sacramento. #Athletics
— Kasey Kazliner (@kaseyjkaz) November 21, 2024
More on the Athletics
Athletics closer Mason Miller put the finishing touches on a rookie season for the books as the hard-throwing right-hander was named to the All-MLB Second Team on Thursday.
Miller, 26, burst onto the scene this season as the All-Star struck out 104 batters over 65 innings of work and posted an ERA of 2.49 in 55 appearances.
The A’s former third-round pick locked down 28 saves in 31 opportunities this season (fifth in the American League) and posted an incredible 14.4 strikeouts per nine innings ratio.
Miller is the first Athletics player to be named to an All-MLB team since the award was created during the 2019 season.
Read more below:
Upcoming 2024-25 MLB Offseason Dates
- MLB free agency begins the day after the final World Series game
- Players can sign contracts with new teams five days after the final World Series game
- December 8-11th – MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas, TX
- February TBD – Pitchers & catchers report for Spring Training
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