Red Sox Sign Two-Time All-Star Pitcher in Free Agency
Craig Breslow has done it again! After trading for Garret Crochet from the Chicago White Sox on the last day of the Winter Meetings, Breslow mentioned how the team would continue to look for pitching.
"I think we came here a few days ago thinking we needed to improve our rotation. I think that's still the case. There are still really good starting pitchers left on the free-agent market. And there are still conversations that were having with teams as trade targets."
- Craig Breslow, CBO Boston Red Sox
A day after my story on the Red Sox being interested in meeting with Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki, the team has reportedly signed former Los Angeles Dodger Walker Buehler to help bolster the starting rotation.
Right-hander Walker Buehler and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a one-year, $21.05 million contract, sources tell ESPN. One of the Dodgers’ World Series heroes and a two-time All-Star will join a rebuilt Red Sox rotation. A high-upside play for both. First: @Russ_Dorsey1.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 23, 2024
This is a great move for the Red Sox. During his seven years with the Dodgers, Buehler was named a National League All-Star twice and brought two championships to Los Angeles. This also shows that he is used to pitching in big markets and wants to pitch for the league’s marquee teams.
Most importantly, he struck out former Red Sox outfielder, Alex Verdugo, to end the Yankees’ season this year.
What this move also does for the Red Sox is that it adds potential high-end talent to the pitching staff and adds much-needed depth. If Buehler can find his 2021 form again, the team will have a dominant 1-2 punch with Garret Crochet and Buehler. In 2021, Buehler finished fourth in the National League Cy Young award voting with a record of 16-4 with a 2.47 ERA while striking out 212 batters in 207 innings.
The move also lengthens Alex Cora’s pitching rotation and pushes the rest of the staff down a slot in the pecking order. Most notably, the young and promising duo of 2024 American League All-Star, Tanner Houck, and the team leader in wins with 14, Bryan Bello, become your number 3 and 4 starters.
To round out the rotation, Cora now has flexibility for his 5th and final spot including last offseason’s pickup Lucas Giolitto who missed all of the 2024 season with an elbow injury.
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