Walker Buehler to the Padres? A Rivalry Twist That Could Shake Up the NL West
The Dodgers-Padres rivalry has always had a little extra heat. Geographically close, emotionally charged, and historically intense, it doesn’t take much to light a fire between these two clubs. But when a name like Walker Buehler starts surfacing in San Diego’s orbit, that’s not just smoke-it’s the kind of spark that could ignite a full-blown blaze.
Buehler, a two-time World Series champion and longtime staple of the Dodgers' rotation, is now being linked to a potential move down the I-5 to San Diego. Multiple reports from February 3 indicate that the Padres are eyeing the right-hander as a free-agent target, with interest reportedly heating up as spring training nears.
And make no mistake-this wouldn’t be just any signing. This would be a statement.
A Calculated Gamble with High Upside
Let’s be clear: this isn’t the Buehler of old. He’s coming off his second Tommy John surgery, and the days of him leading a rotation may be on pause-for now.
But what San Diego sees is a high-upside, short-term play. Think of it as a “prove-it” deal: low risk, potentially high reward.
The Padres are in a bit of flux after Dylan Cease’s departure to Toronto. That leaves a hole in the rotation, and Buehler could be the bridge between uncertainty and stability.
If healthy, he’d likely slot in as the No. 5 starter behind Nick Pivetta, Michael King, Joe Musgrove, and Randy Vasquez. That’s not a bad place to be if you’re trying to work your way back to form.
And for San Diego, it’s classic A.J. Preller.
The GM has never been shy about bold moves, and at Padres FanFest in late January, he hinted that starting pitching would be a February focus. This would fit that bill perfectly: a buy-low swing on a pitcher with postseason pedigree and something to prove.
The Rivalry Factor
Of course, this isn’t just about innings and ERA. This is Walker Buehler-a name that’s synonymous with October in Los Angeles.
If he ends up wearing brown and gold, it’s going to feel personal for Dodgers fans. And for the Padres?
That’s part of the appeal.
This is a rivalry built on tension, and moves like this only add fuel. San Diego has crossed these lines before, but this one would hit a little different.
Buehler has been on the mound for some of the Dodgers’ biggest postseason moments. Seeing him take that same fire to a division rival would be a twist straight out of a Hollywood script-only this time, the setting shifts to Petco Park.
Mason Miller: The New Closer Era Begins
While the rotation remains a work in progress, the back end of the bullpen looks locked and loaded.
Enter Mason Miller-San Diego’s new ninth-inning weapon and one of the most electric arms in baseball. After arriving at last year’s trade deadline, Miller didn’t just impress-he dominated. His triple-digit fastball overwhelmed hitters, and his late-season performances turned every Padres game into a must-watch event once the bullpen door swung open.
Now, he’s officially the guy.
Miller has reported to spring training healthy, confident, and ready to embrace the closer role full-time. The Padres aren’t just hoping he thrives-they’re building around him. And given the franchise’s long history of elite closers, from Trevor Hoffman to Kirby Yates, Miller has a chance to carve out his own legacy in that lineage.
A Familiar Blueprint, A New Chapter
This is a Padres team that’s never been afraid to swing big. Whether it’s trading for stars, signing marquee names, or leaning into the drama of a rivalry, they’ve shown they’re willing to make bold moves to stay competitive in a loaded NL West.
Adding Walker Buehler would be another calculated gamble-one that could pay off in a big way if he regains even a fraction of his former dominance. And with Mason Miller anchoring the bullpen, San Diego’s pitching staff could be quietly shaping into something formidable.
The Dodgers might still be the class of the division, but the Padres? They're not backing down. And if Buehler ends up on the other side of the rivalry, this season’s matchups just got a whole lot more interesting.