The Boston Red Sox made waves Monday morning by signing two-time All-Star right-hander Walker Buehler to a one-year deal worth $21.05 million, per Yahoo Sports’ Russell Dorsey and later confirmed by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The contract includes incentives and represents a high-reward move for a team in dire need of pitching reinforcements.
Buehler’s Journey to Boston
At 30 years old, Buehler joins the Red Sox after a remarkable comeback season with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024. Despite undergoing his second Tommy John surgery just two years prior, Buehler returned to the mound in dominant fashion during the postseason.
In the Dodgers’ run to the 2024 World Series title, Buehler delivered under the brightest lights. He did not allow a single run across 10 innings during the National League Championship Series and the World Series. Most notably, he closed out the decisive game in New York, securing Los Angeles’ championship in dramatic fashion.
Buehler’s track record speaks for itself. His best season came in 2021, when he posted a stellar 16-4 record with a 2.47 ERA, finishing fourth in NL Cy Young voting. Over his seven-year career, the Vanderbilt product has proven to be a clutch performer and a workhorse when healthy, amassing a 3.10 career ERA and postseason heroics that include multiple deep playoff runs.
Red Sox Address Pitching Woes
The addition of Buehler is the latest move in what’s shaping up to be an aggressive offseason for Boston. The Red Sox rotation struggled in 2024, with injuries and inconsistency leaving a glaring hole in their playoff aspirations.
Earlier this offseason, the Red Sox signed southpaw Garrett Crochet to serve as their new ace. Buehler is expected to slot behind Crochet, providing much-needed depth and postseason experience to a revamped rotation.
With a healthy Buehler, Boston gets a proven arm capable of delivering elite performances. While the one-year deal carries some risk given Buehler’s injury history, it also offers significant upside for a team looking to contend in a highly competitive AL East.
What’s Next for Boston
Buehler’s signing indicates the Red Sox are fully committed to building a contender in 2025. The team still has work to do, particularly in the bullpen and at the plate, but the addition of Buehler signals a clear priority on improving the pitching staff.
If Buehler’s past success and recent postseason dominance are any indication, Boston fans have plenty to be excited about as the veteran right-hander prepares to don the Red Sox uniform.
With Garrett Crochet leading the way and Walker Buehler set to provide a steadying presence, the Red Sox rotation looks poised to be far more competitive in the upcoming season. For Boston, the road back to October starts with moves like this—and Buehler could be just the beginning.
