Following seven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Walker Buehler inked a deal with the Boston Red Sox last month.
The 30-year-old pitcher signed a one-year, $21.05 million contract with Boston following a regular season where he recorded a 1-6 record and a 5.38 ERA over 12 starts. This was his first year returning after having Tommy John surgery in 2022 and missing all of the 2023 season.
Nonetheless, it is his postseason performance in 2024 that will be cherished by Dodger fans. In October, he had three starts, holding an ERA of 3.60 and achieving 13 strikeouts. He also recorded the World Series clinching save with two days of rest, even though he hadn’t warmed up beforehand.
Currently part of the Red Sox, Buehler has reached out to free agent Alex Bregman, who has been with the Houston Astros since 2016.
“I have definitely advocated everywhere for him to come to Boston,” Buehler stated Friday during a Zoom call with journalists. “We have been friends for quite a while.” “We competed on Team USA together for a short time in college.”
As reported by Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, the MLB athletes “co-own a 3-year-old colt named March of Time, which won a race on Friday at Santa Anita Park.”
Speier noted: “In a radio chat in Puerto Rico soon after Buehler’s deal was revealed, Red Sox manager Alex Cora pointed out that the team’s main focus is acquiring a right-handed-hitting second baseman — a clear hint at his persistent pursuit of Alex Bregman for Boston.”
Boston participated in the Juan Soto sweepstakes. They also aimed to acquire Teoscar Hernández, but they were unsuccessful in their efforts. The right-handed Bregman would suit the Red Sox well, as they require an additional power hitter, and he hit 26 home runs last season, marking his highest final total since 2019.
A major factor in the Dodgers not retaining Buehler was the high-profile signing of Blake Snell last month. He becomes part of a crowded rotation that includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani, who is finally back on the mound.
Another pitcher likely to re-sign with L.A. is Clayton Kershaw, the longest-serving Dodger.
While both Dodger fans and the front office would have appreciated re-signing Buehler, there seems to be no animosity from the team. Along with a message expressing gratitude to Buehler for “seven amazing seasons in Dodger blue,” the team shared a video showcasing some of his finest moments with the franchise.
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