Red Sox Snag Dodgers World Series Hero Walker Buehler For $21 Million

Two-time All-Star right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler has agreed to a one-year, $21.05 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.

Buehler, 30, was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2015 MLB Draft and has played for them since 2017. He has struggled in recent seasons following his second Tommy John surgery – but has continued to uphold his big-game reputation.

Despite allowing a 5.38 ERA in 16 starts in the 2024 season, with a career-low 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings, Buehler returned to vintage form in the playoffs. He played an instrumental part in the NLCS and recorded the save that carried the Dodgers to their Game 5 World Series win. Over his ten playoff innings, he gave up just five hits and struck out 13.

The Red Sox, who scored the ninth-most runs in MLB last season, hope Buehler can follow up his playoff success with a return to pre-2022 form. He joins a still-forming lineup that includes Garrett Crochet, who the team acquired from the White Sox this offseason, and Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck, Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello.

Buehler had his first Tommy John surgery in 2015 before he went on a run as one of baseball’s top starting pitchers from 2018 to 2021. After sitting out the entirety of the 2023 season while recovering from his second, he’s looking to recreate that magic.

Buehler’s willingness to sign a one-year deal speaks volumes. If he performs up to his expectations, pitching should become a strength for Boston as they look to return to the playoffs.