The New York Yankees are likely tired of facing Walker Buehler. The 30-year-old pitcher, drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015, had a dominant performance against the Yankees in the 2024 World Series. In Game 5, with the Dodgers leading by just one run, Buehler came in for a rare relief appearance in the ninth inning. He quickly recorded three outs, striking out Austin Wells and Alex Verdugo to earn his first career save in both the postseason and regular season, securing the Dodgers’ first World Series title since 1988 (excluding their 2020 championship in the shortened season).
Buehler’s save came just a day after he shut down the Yankees in Game 3, throwing five innings of shutout ball, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out five. It was a stellar performance that left a lasting impression on the Yankees.
However, the Yankees’ concerns with Buehler are far from over. In 2025, he will join their archrivals, the Boston Red Sox, as part of their starting rotation in the American League East, one of the fiercest rivalries in baseball. According to reports, Buehler has signed a one-year deal worth $21.05 million with the Red Sox, which mirrors the qualifying offer Boston extended to starter Nick Pivetta after the 2024 season. By upgrading from Pivetta to Buehler, the Red Sox have added significant value without an extra cost, though Buehler’s contract reportedly includes performance incentives.
Walker Buehler
Despite having pitched fewer innings and games than Pivetta, Buehler has accumulated a higher Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at 12.2, compared to Pivetta’s 9.8. This suggests that Buehler has delivered more value despite his relatively shorter career.
With Buehler now joining the rotation, the Red Sox’s starting lineup is taking shape, featuring Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck, Buehler, Brayan Bello, and Lucas Giolito. While Giolito signed a two-year, $38.5 million contract in early 2024, his elbow injury sidelined him for the entire season. Now that the rotation is set, the Red Sox are shifting their focus to their bullpen, which struggled in the second half of the season, blowing 31 saves and posting a 4.39 ERA, the seventh-worst in the league.
To address the bullpen, the Red Sox signed veteran Aroldis Chapman, though his lack of command raises questions about his ability to serve as a reliable closer. Rumors are circulating that the team may still be searching for a proven closer, with predictions pointing to Tanner Scott, a veteran reliever who saved 18 games for the Marlins in 2024, as a potential target. Scott, who has also pitched five scoreless innings in the postseason, could be a key addition to the bullpen.
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