*Prediction*
The St. Louis Cardinals might be quietly considering a reclamation project as part of their offseason pitching plan, and Walker Buehler stands out as a logical target.
Once a dominant frontline arm and two-time All-Star for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Buehler struggled through a difficult 2025 season, finishing with a 7–7 record, a 5.45 ERA, 84 strikeouts, and 55 walks over 112⅓ innings.
Even with the recent decline, his overall résumé, including a career 3.56 ERA and World Series championships in 2020 and 2024, reminds teams that the talent is still there.
For a Cardinals organization with a strong history of reviving pitchers and finding value in overlooked arms, Buehler could represent a classic high-risk, high-reward opportunity.
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Walker Buehler Signs With the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis has long been recognized for its strong pitching development pipeline and the benefit of playing in a pitcher-friendly ballpark, both of which could help Buehler rediscover his form.
His velocity, competitive fire, and postseason experience are still valuable tools — traits the Cardinals could maximize by easing him into a role that fits where he is physically, whether that’s as a controlled-innings starter or a dependable mid-rotation arm.
After being released by the Boston Red Sox in August 2025 and later signing a minor-league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, Buehler now enters free agency with more modest expectations. That reality likely points to a shorter, incentive-laden contract, making him an affordable upside play for St. Louis.
For the Cardinals, pursuing Buehler isn’t about counting on him to be an immediate ace — it’s about adding depth with real rebound potential. If he’s able to recapture even a portion of his past effectiveness, the signing could turn into a significant bargain.
A short-term, bonus-heavy deal would limit the downside while offering the chance to strike gold if Buehler finds his footing again.
Walker Buehler’s History in the MLB
Of course, nothing about Buehler’s path forward is certain. He faced significant struggles after returning from his second Tommy John surgery and a bout of shoulder inflammation in 2025. His command wavered, his walk rate spiked, and he wasn’t consistently able to pitch deep into games.
That raises an important question for St. Louis: can their coaching staff help him sharpen his mechanics, regulate his workload, and rebuild his feel for the strike zone? At 31 years old, Buehler may also need a revised role — potentially fewer innings, more reliance on bullpen support, or even a hybrid starter/long-relief assignment.
The Cardinals aren’t in full rebuild mode anymore; they’re gearing up to compete again soon. Within that context, taking a chance on a bounce-back arm like Buehler makes sense. If they’re comfortable offering a short-term, low-risk contract and giving him a role that matches where he is physically, Buehler could emerge as one of the more intriguing reclamation projects in their rotation.