One of the 2024 World Series heroes has agreed to terms with a new team.
According to reports from Yahoo Sports, Walker Buehler has agreed to join the Boston Red Sox on a one-year deal for $21.05 million, the exact amount for this year’s qualifying offer pending a physical. Although the 30-year-old struggled during the regular season, he recorded the final out in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees, securing the Dodger’s eighth championship and Buehler’s second ring.
Buehler will join a Red Sox side building a strong rotation. The club signed All-Star Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox a few weeks prior. On December 20th, they also acquired Patrick Sandoval on a two-year deal who is expected to return later in 2025 following Tommy John surgery.
2021 was Buehler’s strongest year, posting a 2.47 ERA in 33 starts over 203 2/3 innings. 2022 was when his injury woes began, undergoing elbow surgery and then Tommy John surgery in quick succession. As a result, he missed the entirety of 2023 and struggled to regain his form when he returned in 2024, recording a 5.38 ERA in the regular season. In the playoffs, he made a solid run with a 3.60 ERA over 15 innings, including a perfect ninth inning in Game 5 of the World Series to clinch the title.
For the first time in his career, he will be pitching for a brand-new team. The new-look rotation that the Red Sox have built will give him a fresh chance to get back to his best on a low-risk, one-year deal.
For the Dodgers, they will have a surplus of starting pitching especially if they sign Roki Sasaki as is widely rumored. While their starters can be injury-prone, this move could be considered a win for all parties. Sasaki may have been more reluctant to join had the Dodgers chosen to exercise the qualifying offer for Buehler.
