Could the Dodgers Trade for Walker Buehler Less Than a Year After Letting Him Walk Despite His Recent Struggles?

The MLB trade market never sleeps, and neither does the speculation surrounding big-market teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers. But few potential moves would be more surprising — or ironic — than the idea gaining momentum this week: could the Dodgers really trade for Walker Buehler, less than one full season after letting him leave for the Boston Red Sox?

It sounds wild at first glance, but peel back the layers, and this could be the perfect storm of circumstances that leads to one of the most awkward, headline-grabbing trades in recent memory.

To understand the full picture, you have to rewind to last offseason. Buehler, once regarded as a Dodgers ace-in-waiting and postseason warrior, hit free agency after an injury-riddled stint in Los Angeles. Despite some interest from the Dodgers in keeping him around, the sides never found common ground. Instead, Buehler signed a short-term, high-upside deal with the Boston Red Sox — a team desperate for frontline pitching, hoping Buehler’s recovery from Tommy John surgery would bring them the ace they’ve lacked.

For Boston, it made sense at the time. Buehler was still just 29, his pedigree was undeniable, and the Red Sox were gambling that he could return to pre-injury form. But as we sit here in late June, things haven’t gone according to plan.

Buehler’s time in Boston has been rocky at best. His ERA has ballooned to the wrong side of 5.00, his velocity has dipped, and the command that once made him so deadly has been inconsistent. The fan base, known for its intensity, has already started voicing frustrations. Whispers around the league suggest that the Red Sox, hovering around .500 and facing pressure to reset their roster, could be sellers at the trade deadline.

Which brings us to the Dodgers.

Despite a star-studded roster and legitimate World Series aspirations, the Dodgers’ rotation has not been immune to setbacks. Injuries, underperformance, and the usual wear and tear of a 162-game grind have exposed cracks in what was supposed to be an elite pitching staff. Clayton Kershaw’s timetable remains murky, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is still adjusting, and the depth arms have been hit or miss.

Enter Buehler, the former hero turned potential trade target.

It’s a storyline ripped straight from Hollywood: the team that developed Buehler, nurtured his rise, and once believed in him as a cornerstone, now considering bringing him back under very different circumstances. Sources around the league indicate the Dodgers front office, led by Andrew Friedman, has at least internally discussed the feasibility of a Buehler reunion.

Why would the Dodgers entertain this? For one, they know Buehler better than anyone. They understand his mechanics, his medical history, his makeup. If there’s a team that can unlock whatever remains of Buehler’s peak form, it’s the Dodgers. Furthermore, Buehler’s current struggles could drive down his price — meaning the Dodgers wouldn’t have to part with top-tier prospects to acquire him.

There’s also a sentimental factor at play. Buehler was a vital part of the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series run, earning a reputation as a big-game pitcher who thrived under pressure. His competitive edge, postseason experience, and familiarity with the Dodgers culture could be invaluable in October, when the margin for error shrinks and every pitch counts.

But this isn’t a fairy tale, and significant hurdles remain.

For starters, the optics are undeniably awkward. The Dodgers let Buehler walk in free agency — a move signaling, at least implicitly, that they weren’t confident enough in his health or production to commit long-term. Trading assets to get him back, especially in light of his recent struggles, could be seen as an admission of miscalculation.

Secondly, how much does Buehler truly have left? While flashes of his former brilliance have surfaced in Boston, the consistency simply hasn’t been there. If the Dodgers trade for him, they’re banking on their pitching infrastructure — one of the league’s best — to stabilize him quickly. But there are no guarantees when it comes to recovering from major arm injuries, even for pitchers as talented as Buehler.

Then there’s Boston’s perspective. The Red Sox aren’t going to give Buehler away for nothing, especially considering the optics on their side. Trading away a high-profile free-agent signing less than a year into his tenure could spark backlash unless the return is substantial or Buehler’s performance truly bottoms out. That said, if the Red Sox decide to pivot toward a rebuild, moving Buehler while recouping promising assets could be a pragmatic, if unpopular, play.

Financially, the deal is plausible. Buehler’s contract with Boston was structured with incentives, and his base salary isn’t prohibitive for a big spender like Los Angeles. From a roster standpoint, the Dodgers have the pieces to make such a trade work without gutting their farm system — especially if Buehler’s recent form lowers his market value.

Would Buehler himself welcome a return to Los Angeles? Publicly, he has maintained professionalism regarding his departure, praising both organizations and focusing on getting back to peak performance. Privately, sources suggest there are no hard feelings, and the idea of returning to a team built for postseason success could be appealing.

Timing, of course, is crucial. The trade deadline is just weeks away, and both teams face critical stretches that could alter their approach. If the Red Sox surge, they’re unlikely to part with Buehler. If their slide continues, the phones will start ringing.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, are in a familiar position: elite on paper, but searching for the final pieces to push them over the top. Adding a battle-tested arm with postseason chops — even one struggling at present — aligns with the aggressive, win-now ethos that has defined the Friedman era.

Cynics will argue the Dodgers have better options. Names like Garrett Crochet, Jack Flaherty, or other frontline starters could be on the market, carrying less baggage than a Buehler reunion. But few of those options come with the institutional knowledge, upside, and emotional connection Buehler brings.

Baseball is unpredictable, and the trade deadline even more so. What seems far-fetched in June can crystallize quickly as teams reassess needs, budgets, and trajectories.

Would the Dodgers trade for Walker Buehler less than a year after letting him leave? It would require humility, risk tolerance, and a calculated belief that they can reignite his career at the perfect time.

Impossible? No. Unlikely? Maybe.

But in a sport where narratives shift with every outing, don’t rule out a plot twist that reunites Buehler and the Dodgers — just in time for another October run.