Red Sox Sign World Series Champion Hurler In MLB Insider Projection

The Boston Red Sox have stayed among the list of teams with the most offseason buzz this year. Their addition of Garrett Crochet via trade with the Chicago White Sox marked a turning point for the organization. For the first time in years, it seems as though the Red Sox are pushing their chips in and building a team to compete in the American League.

With the addition of Crochet, Boston's starting rotation is in considerably better shape, but would certainly benefit from one more proven arm.

"(The Red Sox) certainly need another starter," said MLB insider Ken Rosenthal on "Foul Territory." "(Walker) Buehler would be kind of a short-term idea. In the regular season he had not been good, coming off a variety of injuries including major elbow surgery. So he's a bit of a risk, but he's definitely an intriguing guy because of what he has accomplished in his career."

Buehler suffered right hip inflammation in June and was not activated from the injured list until August. He would go on to make eight starts through the end of the regular season, posting a 4.93 ERA with a 33-to-18 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 38 and 1/3 innings, averaging under five innings per start.

Despite his regular season struggles, Buehler ended the year pitching 10 scoreless innings in the postseason, and was on the mound to record the final out of the 2024 World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

After a disastrous start in Game 3 of the NLDS in San Diego, which saw Buehler allow six earned runs in five innings on seven hits, one walk, and zero strikeouts, Buehler found a groove. He went on to pitch in the NLCS and World Series for a combined 10 innings with five hits, zero runs, four walks and 13 strikeouts.

The Red Sox have been hesitant to give long-term contracts to aging starting pitchers, and the 30-year-old would presumably be no exception. But with the Red Sox's new and improved coaching staff, the idea of taking a flyer on a pitcher with injury history who wants to reset his free agent market seems realistic. Buehler has high upside and would most likely want a short-term contract to maximize his value on the open market, while still helping the Red Sox compete in the immediate future.

More MLB: Red Sox Reportedly In Talks With Orioles All-Star Free Agent Hurler