Red Sox manager makes feelings clear on Walker Buehler signing $21,000,000 deal

The Boston Red Sox added Walker Buehler to their starting rotation for next season after he signed a one-year, $21 million contract. Buehler endured a shaky regular season with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024 after returning from elbow surgery but played a starring role in the postseason to help them clinch the World Series.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora has said that Walker Buehler would be a great addition, as he could perform under the high-pressure atmosphere of Fenway Park. Cora added that he was impressed by Buehler's approach toward pitching and that he was always thinking a step ahead of the analytical and coaching team.

On the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast hosted by eminent baseball columnist Rob Bradford of The Boston Globe, Cora offered his thoughts on Walker Buehler.

"He'll be perfect for us and bring that kind of persona to where we play; not afraid of the big stage," Cora said. "He comes from an organization that does things right. I texted some people that we know, and they were like, "Yeah, yeah! You're gonna love him." And when those people tell me that, because they know how I do it. They know the type of players I like.

"Excited about him. He called me right away and FaceTimed me. He's ready to roll. But during the meeting, listening to him talking about how he goes about his craft, it was impressive," Cora added. "You got a lot of people in those meetings, and he was always kind of one step ahead of us."

Buehler had pitched seven shutout innings for the Dodgers in Game 3 of the 2018 World Series against the Red Sox. He also finished in third place for the National League Rookie of the Year.

"Walker Buehler bet on himself, and he bet on the Red Sox": Alex Cora

Walker Buehler closed out the 2024 World Series for the Dodgers. (Image source: Imagn)

Walker Buehler made just 12 starts during the 2022 season after landing on the IL due to elbow discomfort. He eventually underwent Tommy John surgery, which saw him miss the entire 2023 campaign.

Buehler returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers pitching staff in 2024 but struggled for consistency. He made 16 starts during the regular season, posting a 1-6 record with a 5.38 ERA.

Therefore, the Boston Red Sox refrained from offering him a long-term deal despite more than doubling his salary from his last year with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"Obviously, at the end it's all about money," Alex Cora said. "He bet on himself and he bet on the Red Sox, right? So, it's going to be exciting. He's going to be good. We have to take care of him."

Walker Buehler will join a young but talented Red Sox starting rotation comprising Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford and Brayan Bello.

About the author

Paranjoy Goswami (Bobo) is a baseball reporter at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience writing with publications such as Eagle Bet, India Bet and Paradine.

He has provided full coverage, match previews and betting tips on major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, English Premier League, German Bundesliga, ICC World Cup, Indian Premier League and several others.

Bobo grew up supporting the Red Sox but has also been on the Phillies bandwagon for the past couple of years. He also roots for the St. Louis Cardinals and Seattle Mariners.

While he hasn't played much baseball, Bobo's fascination with the sport started with an 8-bit Nintendo game, where he picked up the basic rules. He started watching live MLB matches on TV about 20 years ago and his love for baseball just grew by leaps and bounds from then on.

Bobo's favorite player was probably Tim Wakefield as not only was he the best knuckleball pitcher of his time, but he was also a Red Sox legend, an outstanding team player and a great human being. Among the current generation, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Scherzer and Bryce Harper get the nod.

Bobo's favorite moment in baseball history was when the Red Sox beat the Yankees before breaking their World Series curse in 2004. That said, Jackie Robinson's breaking the color barrier was the most important.

Outside of baseball, Bobo's interests include literature, comics, world history, science fiction, satire, classic movies, PC games, pets, playing sports, cycling, traveling, sightseeing and quiet reflection.

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Edited by Bhargav