Why All-Star Pitcher Considered ‘Obvious Answer’ For Red Sox

The offseason reconstruction of the Boston Red Sox continued Tuesday when the team reportedly signed flamethrowing relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman, but plenty of work remains on the table before Opening Day roughly three months from now.

So far, the Red Sox have added Chapman, a future Hall of Famer candidate, and 12-year veteran Justin Wilson to their bullpen, hoping to improve with the potential departures of Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen looming. It’s a start and could serve as the building block for bigger moves to come, but begs the question as to what’s next.

Well, perhaps continuing the trend of adding pitching, this time with a focus on the rotation, would help.

“This one’s a no-brainer for me, it’s Walker Buehler,” ex-MLB outfielder Ryan Spilborghs told MLB Network Radio on Tuesday. “I want a project, a one-year contract, give him upside. I think what we saw at the end of the year last year was a good sign, especially in the postseason. Clearly, you’re not gonna use him to close out a World Series game but if you have to you’re gonna do that. There’s something to be said when a player is looking for a pillow to re-establish value, get himself in a spot where clearly the road has ended for Walker Buehler with the Dodgers after the Blake Snell signing.”

Snell signed a five-year, $182 million deal with the Dodgers, pushing Buehler out of the picture in Los Angeles.

Buehler, a two-time All-Star, is coming off a World Series championship with the Dodgers but isn’t lined up for a payday. Going 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA in 16 starts for Los Angeles last season didn’t place the cards in Buehler’s favor in free agency, however, the right-hander could still treat 2025 as a comeback to re-establish himself for next offseason.

The Red Sox already have All-Star Tanner Houck, Brayan Bellow, Lucas Giolito, Kutter Crawford and Garrett Whitlock in the starting rotation. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, while thrilled with last season’s pitching program progress, has insinuated the organization is still interested in adding — whether through free agency or trades. Boston’s been linked to names such as Snell, Corbin Burnes, Max Fried and international standout Roki Sasaki, making Buehler a realistic target and fit for the Red Sox.

Perhaps the fit could prove to be among the offseason’s biggest win-wins down the line.

“In the case of Walker with Boston and the reason why I like it so much is I think it’s there. I think his stuff is there, it plays well, you’re in a really nice market,” Spilborghs said. “That team, if it’s in a position that it’s up and coming, which it feels like they’re starting to turn things around, he fits in a rotation where — again, like for me, a six-man rotation makes a ton of sense, especially if you have issues with the bullpen. And as they continue to clean up their bullpen, one way to prevent the bullpen from taking on too much water is by having a six-man rotation.”

Spilborghs added: “Walker Buehler, for me, is the obvious answer for the Red Sox.”

Buehler’s possible welcome to Fenway Park could make up for the loss of Nick Pivetta, who rejected Boston’s $21.5 million qualifying offer in November. He made a combined 28 starts the past two seasons following a career-high 33-start campaign in 2021, meaning the potential and track record — which includes 19 playoff appearances — is there for the Red Sox to counter on.

The New York Mets, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves are among those rumored to be interested in Buehler’s services this offseason.