Breslow: Walker Buehler brings ‘championship-pedigree’ to Red Sox rotation
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow thinks the rotation has a chance to reach an “elite level” next season. With the additions of Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler, Boston’s rotation is deeper than last season.
Buehler was the latest free agent addition to the rotation, and Breslow shared his excitement for his newest starter.
“We’re getting a championship pedigree, a multiple-time All-Star, and multiple-time World Series champion,” Breslow said while speaking to the media on Monday afternoon. “We saw in the postseason last year, really, an uptick in stuff and some indicators that we feel like he’s primed for a great 2025. Specifically, the shape of the fastball and the shape of the curveball go back to when he was at his best. And so we’re really excited about adding him to the rotation.
“The chance to come to Boston, to compete on this stage, and then platform for whatever is next (as a free agent) lined up with feeling, given the depth that we have amassed, some of the names that I mentioned earlier, (we loved) the chance to bring in someone like Walker, who’s got this tremendous upside but obviously has struggled to stay on the field over the last couple of years.”
Buehler comes to Boston after spending eight seasons in Los Angeles, winning two World Series titles and making two All-Star teams. He had a dominant 2021 campaign where he went 16-4 with a 2.47 ERA, finishing fourth in NL Cy Young voting. Buehler missed the 2023 season and was on the shelf for two full years in total after undergoing his second career Tommy John surgery in Aug. 2022.
The righty returned to the Dodgers last season, posting a 1-6 record with a 5.38 ERA as a starter. He underwent his first Tommy John surgery while pitching for Vanderbilt in 2015.
Buehler will look to re-establish his value next season with the Red Sox and hit the open market looking for a mega deal. If Buehler walks in free agency, Boston could get draft pick compensation if they attach the qualifying offer.
