Red Sox sign starting pitcher Walker Buehler to 1-year, $21.05M US deal: reports
The Boston Red Sox made another big move to bolster their pitching staff by signing two-time all-star right-hander Walker Buehler to a one-year contract worth $21.05 million. The deal also includes the opportunity for Buehler to earn an additional $2.5 million in performance bonuses, as reported by ESPN.
Buehler, who was once considered the heir apparent to Clayton Kershaw with the Los Angeles Dodgers, faced setbacks due to injuries. He only appeared in 12 games in 2022 and missed the entire 2023 season recovering from his second Tommy John surgery. Despite a hip injury limiting him to 16 regular-season starts in 2024, Buehler played a crucial role in the Dodgers’ World Series victory. During the postseason, he made four appearances, posting a 1-1 record with a 3.60 ERA over 15 innings, striking out 13 batters and walking five. He even recorded a save in Game 5 of the World Series against the New York Yankees.
With a career record of 47-22 and a 3.27 ERA in 131 games, Buehler brings a wealth of experience to the Red Sox. He has recorded 754 strikeouts in 713 2/3 innings since his debut in 2017 and finished fourth in the National League Cy Young Award voting in 2021.
In Boston, Buehler will join a pitching staff that recently acquired left-hander Garrett Crochet in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. Other potential starters for the Red Sox include Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, Lucas Giolito, and Tanner Houck, with Giolito returning from Tommy John surgery.
On another front, Sean Manaea is set to return to the New York Mets on a three-year deal worth $75 million. The left-hander had an impressive season in 2024, going 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA in 32 starts. Manaea declined his player option for 2025 and turned down a qualifying offer from the Mets to hit the free-agent market.
Manaea’s return to the Mets solidifies their starting rotation, which has undergone significant changes this offseason. The Mets have also signed Frankie Montas, Clay Holmes, and Griffin Canning to bolster their pitching staff.
In a separate move, outfielder Joc Pederson agreed to a two-year deal with the Texas Rangers, with a reported value of $37 million. Pederson, a two-time all-star and two-time World Series winner, spent the 2024 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, hitting .275 with 23 home runs and 64 RBIs in 132 games.
Lastly, Carlos Santana signed a one-year, $12 million contract to return to the Cleveland Guardians for his third stint with the team. Santana, who spent last season with the Minnesota Twins, brings a wealth of experience and consistency to the Guardians, having played for multiple teams over his 15-year career.
These moves highlight the active offseason in Major League Baseball, as teams look to strengthen their rosters and make a push for the postseason in the upcoming season.
