The Boston Red Sox are closing in on signing the newest member of their rotation.
Jeff Passan and Russ Dorsey on Monday reported the Red Sox had reached an agreement with Walker Buehler on a one-year, $21.05 million contract.
"Buehler's deal, which is pending physical, includes an additional $2.5 million in performance bonuses, sources said," Passan wrote on X. "At 30, he will spend his first full season after his second Tommy John surgery pitching at Fenway Park following a decade of success in the Dodgers organization."
Buehler won two World Series championships with the Dodgers and was an All-Star with the team in 2019 and 2021.
Last season was one to forget for Buehler. He returned halfway through the season and struggled with a 5.38 ERA in 16 starts. Returning from a second Tommy John surgery is never easy, but there is a sense of optimism Buehler can return to his old self.
In the playoffs last season, he made four appearances (three starts) and recorded a 3.60 ERA. While it's a small sample size, it's a step in the right direction.
The Red Sox have seen firsthand how dominant Buehler can be on the mound. Now, they believe he can return to that after a normal offseason of training.
Red Sox fans will be wondering how this signing effects their ability to sign Corbin Burnes. If Buehler passes his physical, it seems as though the Red Sox rotation is finalized.
Garrett Crochet is positioned to be the ace, followed by Tanner Houck and then Buehler. Lucas Giolito presumably slots into the No. 4 spot which leaves Kutter Crawford and Bryan Bello competing for the final spot in the rotation.
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