In December, the Boston Red Sox believed they had struck gold by signing World Series Champion Walker Buehler to a lucrative one-year contract. The deal was designed to ensure they secured Buehler’s services, and at the time, it appeared to be an outstanding move by the front office.
“The Red Sox continued to bolster their starting rotation on Saturday, signing veteran right-hander Walker Buehler to a one-year deal that was first reported on Monday. The deal will guarantee Buehler $21.05 million and includes incentives, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand,” MLB.com’s Ian Browne wrote.
Buehler was the hero of last season’s World Series, coming in on short rest to record the final three outs and deliver another championship to the Dodgers organization.
“Instead, Buehler retired those 7-8-9 hitters in order. Anthony Volpe grounded out weakly on a curveball. Austin Wells swung and missed at a curveball for strike three. When Alex Verdugo did the same — at another curveball — Buehler raised his glove hand and his pitching hand skyward. His teammates poured out of the dugout and mobbed him,” MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell wrote.
Fast forward to now, and the Red Sox have watched him pitch the exact opposite of how he performed last year. On Friday, they made a major decision in the midst of a playoff push.
“The Red Sox are removing Walker Buehler from the rotation, per PeteAbe. Buehler has a 5.40 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 22 starts this season,” Fox Sports wrote.
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Who will replace him remains uncertain, but the Red Sox do have some viable options.
“The Red Sox have a few possible replacements for Buehler in Richard Fitts and Kyle Harrison. Boston on August 21 recalled Fitts from Triple-A to fill a vacancy in the bullpen, but he and Buehler could swap roles if necessary. The Sox got Harrison as part of the Rafael Devers trade, and he’s posted a 3.69 ERA in 46.1 innings with Triple-A Worcester,” BoSox Injection’s Katie Manganelli wrote.
For Buehler, this is far from how he envisioned this point in the season. Now working out of the bullpen, the role could ultimately benefit him. If the Red Sox do reach the postseason, Buehler still stands as one of their most reliable arms—even with the demotion.
