Could the Boston Red Sox poach from the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series roster to bolster their pitching staff?
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The Red Sox finished the 2024 season with an 81-81 record, good for third place in the American League East. The rotation’s 3.81 ERA was good for seventh in Major League Baseball and far from the main reason that they fell short of their postseason aspirations.
With that said, the depth of the staff was tested toward the end of the season — which led to 44-year-old Rich Hill making four starts alongside depth pieces such as Cooper Criswell and Richard Fitts.
The latter options exceeded expectations but Boston still ended the season five games back of an AL Wild Card spot and could use some more firepower entering the 2025 campaign.
Could Los Angeles Dodgers impending free agent Walker Buehler be a perfect buy-low option for the Red Sox?
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 28: Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the New York Yankees in the first inning during Game Three of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 28, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City.
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Buehler spent a good chunk of the season on the injured list with right-hip inflammation and did not look like himself upon return. However, his last couple of performances imply that his best days are not necessarily behind him.
The 30-year-old posted five scoreless innings with five strikeouts, only allowing a pair of hits and walks in a pivotal World Series Game 3 start, which helped vault the Dodgers to a 3-0 series lead.
It was a strong showing following his four-inning scoreless showing against the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series.
Buehler had a rocky regular season in terms of both production and availability (5.38 ERA in 75 1/3 innings across 16 starts) but has been a frontline starter for the bulk of his career and should have plenty left in the tank.
The No. 24 overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft has largely lived up to his pedigree after dominating at Vanderbilt. Buehler is 47-22 with a 3.27 ERA, 754-to-190 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a .221 batting average against, and a 1.09 WHIP in 131 games across seven seasons.
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A two-time All-Star with a notable injury history is the exact type of target Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow could pursue to bolster the rotation without breaking the bank alongside 2024 breakout Tanner Houck, Lucas Giolito, Kutter Crawford, and Brayan Bello.
While Corbin Burnes and Max Fried will be the top aces on the market, Buehler remains a realistic option who could have nearly as much upside if he can stay healthy.
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