The Red Sox’ Secret Weapon: Boston Pursuit of $32 Million All-Star Could Be the Key to…
The Los Angeles Dodgers can’t have all the starting pitchers… or can they?
With Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow under contract, the Dodgers have as formidable a rotation that a team has ever assembled. But there is still a reunion with longtime Dodgers hurler Walker Buehler, a two-time All-Star, to consider.
Buehler had a dismal 2024 regular season, but shined in the playoffs, finishing off the World Series run with 10 consecutive scoreless innings. That dropped his career postseason ERA to a remarkable 3.04 in 94 1/3 innings.
It’s unclear how serious the Dodgers’ pursuit of Buehler is, though manager Dave Roberts has had nothing but positive things to say about him in the wake of the World Series. They’d assuredly love to have him back, but there’s likely a price too high to pay for a number-five starter.
“The Sox have met with righthander Corbin Burnes and lefthander Max Fried,” Abraham wrote. “Sources have said they also have interest in Walker Buehler, who may not have a spot on the Dodgers after nine seasons in the organization.”
Buehler is currently projected for a two-year, $32 million reunion by Tim Britton of The Athletic. However, seeing the prices that free agents are actually signing for, it seems like a safe bet that Buehler will blow that projection out of the water.
Luis Severino, who had a stronger year than Buehler but has a worse overall track record, signed for three years, $67 million. And Clay Holmes, an ex-closer, signed for three years, $38 million to become a starter.
If the Red Sox are willing to set the market for Buehler, it’s doubtful the Dodgers will want to compete too heavily. At that point, LA just has to hope the World Series isn’t a 2018 rematch, where Buehler could extract some revenge.
