Red Sox sign free agent pitcher Walker Buehler; Meet the new guy

Who’s he and the place did he come from?

He’s Walker Buehler. I’m undecided how good your short-term reminiscence is, however he threw the final pitch of the season that simply handed, in opposition to the New York Yankees, to shut out the Dodgers’ sport 5 World Series victory. Sure, he’s a defending World Sequence champion! He’d been working on a Corridor of Very Good declare as a 2-time champion and 2-time All-Star who additionally completed within the top-10 of the Cy Younger voting twice. However he’s now one 12 months faraway from lacking a complete season because of what was initially handled as bone spurs in his elbow however ended up requiring a second Tommy John surgical procedure. He involves the Red Sox on a one-year “show it” deal for $21 million, and is the group’s second rotation addition in about two weeks …however maintain that quantity in thoughts later within the article.

Is he any good?

He’s been very, excellent prior to now. However in his first season after his second Tommy John, he skilled a noticeable decline. There’s clearly some concern about his sturdiness, since he’s now thrown two consecutive seasons of fewer than 100 innings. I’ll remind you, although, that he did throw 200 innings in 2021, and 182 innings in 2019. It’s additionally value noting his velocity on his four-seamer, which he began going to lots much less in 2024, didn’t lower by a lot — rather less than a mile an hour, sitting at round 95 MPH. He additionally has a knuckle curve that causes hitters to chase FAR outdoors the strike zone.

In 2024, he was within the backside 20 p.c of pitchers in xERA, pitching run worth, chase and whiff proportion, and strikeout proportion, and skilled his fourth consecutive season with a falling strikeout ratio…. however take a look at these 2021 Savant numbers and inform me there’s not an excellent pitcher in there.

It’s now as much as Andrew Bailey to determine tips on how to maintain Buehler wholesome and rework his post-surgery repertoire.

Tl;dr, simply give me his 2024 stats.

75.1 IP, 5.38 ERA, 1-6, -0.2 ERA, 64 Ok, 28 BB

Profession: 47-22, 3.27 ERA, 15 WAR, 754 Ok, 190 BB

Present me a cool spotlight.

Buehler was the man the Dodgers trusted to clinch the World Sequence with a one-run lead, albeit in opposition to the underside of the Yankees’ lineup, together with Alex Verdugo (maintain your laughter). Take a look at this 13-inch horizontal break on this ultimate knuckle curve. This pitch is actually getting there.

What’s he doing in his image up there?

Celebrating, about 5 seconds after the above spotlight. I personally love when athletes hit this “arms up” pose after being clutch like this. He’s daring a group to pay him within the offseason. And he’s born to strike out Alex Verdugo.

What’s his position on the 2025 Crimson Sox?

I wish to be clear to those who say $21 million {dollars} for a pitcher who pitched the worst 12 months of his profession is a gross overpay. Yusei Kikuchi and Sean Manaea acquired over $20 million {dollars} a 12 months. Nick Pivetta will too. I additionally wish to be clear: I’ll overpay ANYONE on a one-year deal. Placing it bluntly: if he sucks, the deal’s over, and we don’t convey him again.

Buehler is 30 years previous. If he’s good within the rotation, John Henry strikes cash round to maintain him — or will get rightful criticism if he doesn’t. Now, this signing successfully places out of the working for somebody who could also be extra reliable long-term — the Seattle pitchers are probably out of the query, and Corbin Burnes is actually going to signal elsewhere. However, in a fantasy world the place accidents don’t occur, I’m not mad at a rotation of Crochet, Houck, Buehler, Bello and Crawford. In a practical world the place accidents do occur, or maybe one wherein Crochet’s workload remains to be monitored, there should be just a few extra depth items — and GOOD depth items — added to the bullpen. However this one-year dedication may as nicely be not a dedication in any respect; and right here’s hoping that Buehler continues constructing his Corridor of Very Good case right here in Boston.