Red Sox Pick Up Walker Buehler

Two-time World Series winning pitcher Walker Buehler has signed a one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox worth $21.05 million. 

Buehler, 30, has pitched his entire 10-year professional career with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers selected Buehler in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt University. Buehler would have a cup of coffee with the Dodgers in 2017 before finishing third in NL Rookie of the Year balloting in 2018 behind Ronald Acuna, Jr. and Juan Soto (now that's some rookie class).

In 2019, Buehler earned his first of two NL All-Star selections en route to a 14-4 record with a 3.26 ERA fanning 215 batters in 182.1 innings pitched while finishing 9th in NL Cy Young balloting. After earning his first World Series ring in the COVID shortened 2020 season, his second NL All-Star selection took place in 2021 when he went 16-4 with a 2.47 ERA striking out 212 batters in 207.2 innings pitched. Buehler finished fourth in NL Cy Young balloting behind Corbin Burnes, Zack Wheeler and Max Scherzer. 

Unfortunately, Buehler got hurt in 2022 and would require Tommy John surgery which forced him to miss most of that season and all of 2023. His return this season was a mixed bag. Buehler was ineffective during the regular season. In 16 starts, Buehler went 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA. However, Buehler did acquit himself well in the post-season earning a victory in Game 3 of the World Series pitching five scoreless innings against the New York Yankees. This would earn him a second World Series ring.

Notwithstanding his contributions to their second World Series in five seasons, the Dodgers declined to tender a qualifying offer making him a free agent. Buehler spent 2024 getting the kinks out of his arm. I think he will return to form in 2025 making him an even more attractive free agent. That is assuming the Red Sox don't lock him up to a long-term deal. 

Buehler enters 2025 with a 47-22 record along with an ERA of 3.27 striking out 754 batters against only 190 walks over 713.2 in 131 career appearances (122 of them starts). Let me put it this way. I will not be the least bit shocked if Walker Buehler is your 2025 AL Cy Young Award winner.