Sachin Shankar Yadav 
After a dismal and tumultuous 2025 season, Walker Buehler was cut by the Boston Red Sox, capping his brief stay with a team that had high expectations for the former Dodgers star.
Boston and Buehler agreed to a one-year, $21.05 million deal that included a $3 million buyout and a mutual option for 2026. After his second World Series victory with the Dodgers, the Red Sox signed him in an attempt to bolster their rotation with postseason experience and star quality in preparation for a postseason run. But the signing ended up being a costly gamble that didn’t work out.
- Buehler pitched 112 1/3 innings over 22 starts, recording a 7-7 record and a 5.45 ERA—both significantly below his career averages.
- While his walk and hit rates skyrocketed, his strikeout rate plummeted to 6.7 per nine innings, a significant drop from his Dodgers career average of 9.5.
- Buehler had trouble staying consistent, giving up four or more runs in eight starts and failing to pitch five innings in nine.
- His performance and rhythm were further impacted by early injuries, such as a period of time spent on the injured list due to shoulder bursitis.
- After escalating struggles, Buehler was moved to the bullpen but performed poorly in relief, surrendering two earned runs in 2.1 innings in his lone appearance before release.
- For the September stretch run, the Red Sox needed their pitching staff to be more dependable as they pursue a postseason berth.
- Buehler’s departure was accelerated by the promotion of top prospect Payton Tolle (age 22), whose dominance in the minor leagues made him an immediate option. This required clearing a roster and 40-man spot.
- Release was the most sensible option because team management had no intention of exercising Buehler’s mutual option for 2026.
- Boston gave Buehler the opportunity to sign elsewhere and stay eligible for the playoffs for another team if there is interest by letting him go before September.
- Boston revolves around Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello, and Garrett Crochet, three Cy Young candidates who have significantly outperformed Buehler.
- With a record of 75-60 and a strong lead in the AL wild card race, the Red Sox head into the final month of the season with high hopes of making the playoffs.
- The 31-year-old Buehler, a two-time All-Star and two-time Dodgers World Series champion, is well-known for his heroics in the postseason. With a postseason ERA below 0.50, he recorded significant victories and saves in World Series games from 2018 to 2024.
- His tumultuous 2025 Boston season contrasts sharply with his prior supremacy. His biggest career slump was caused by injuries, a lack of rhythm, command problems, and a decline in velocity.
- Buehler is now hoping for a new opportunity as he enters free agency. The Dodgers, who might be open to a reunion considering his past with the team, were the first target of speculation.
- Boston, meanwhile, hopes to break their postseason drought and maximize their competitive roster by relying on youth and internal flexibility.
With Walker Buehler’s release, one of the season’s biggest bets and letdowns comes to an end, and both the player and the team have radically different futures.