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Today marks the three-year anniversary of the announcement of the 2021 NL Cy Young award results. The award was won by Corbin Burnes of the Brewers in a close race with Zack Wheeler of the Phillies. Behind them in the voting were Max Scherzer and Walker Buehler, both key members of the Dodgers’ playoff rotation that year.
Fast forward to the present day, Burnes and Wheeler have had successful trajectories since their Cy Young finishes. Burnes is now a top free agent pitcher, expected to receive a lucrative contract, while Wheeler signed an extension with the Phillies and is once again a Cy Young finalist. Scherzer and Buehler are also entering free agency, although they may not command the same high guarantees as Burnes and Wheeler.
Both Scherzer and Buehler face challenges as they hit the open market. Scherzer has dealt with health issues in recent seasons, impacting his performance. Despite this, he has shown he can still be an elite pitcher. Buehler, on the other hand, has had fewer health concerns but struggled with performance in 2024. His potential remains high, but he will need to bounce back from his rough season.
As teams consider which pitcher to sign for a potential bounce-back year, the choice between the experienced Scherzer and the promising Buehler presents an interesting dilemma. Scherzer’s track record and resilience make him an appealing option, while Buehler’s youth and potential upside could be enticing despite his recent struggles.
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