Walker Buehler reveals reasoning behind $21,000,000 Red Sox move

The Boston Red Sox added a major pitching piece in December last year after signing for Los Angeles Dodgers ace Walker Buehler. The two-time World Series winner signed a one-year, $21.05 million contract in free agency after his second World Series title with the Dodgers.

Buehler spent seven seasons in Los Angeles after being drafted by the Dodgers in 2015. His best season with the team was in 2021 when he helped the team to their first World Series title in over three decades. Buehler missed almost two years of action after undergoing Tommy John surgery and returned to the mound in 2024 to add a second World Series ring.

Talking about his move away from the Dodgers in an episode of "Section 10 Podcast" with Red Sox analyst Jarred Carrabis, Buehler said (1:00 onwards):

"You know you spend seven years somewhere and they drafted me and we won two World Championships and I have very fond memories of playing in LA. But when you decided to move on, you move on and I'm thrilled to play in Boston. I think there's like the Yankees and then there's the Red Sox and there's the Dodgers, these are a few franchises that are the cornerstones of our league."

Buehler continued on what made his sign for the Red Sox:

"I think, first and foremost, there's the culture and the expectation, like just to be frank, I'm kind of used to the expectation of like it's World Championship or bust and to not play baseball that way, I think would be somewhat difficult for me. I said it the other day like I hope I'm good enough this year that I get to stay in Boston for the rest of my career."

Walker Buehler's Boston arrival excites Red Sox manager Alex Cora

It wasn't a rosy return to action for Walker Buehler in 2024 as he struggled during the regular season. However, the All-Star pitcher was solid in the postseason in the Dodgers' run through to the World Series title.

Buehler joins a new-look rotation that will also feature Garrett Crochet, who was traded from the Chicago White Sox in December last year. Red Sox manager Alex Cora expressed excitement about Buehler's addition, saying:

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

The Red Sox are aiming for a postseason run next season and will.hope the former Dodgers ace can aid the rotation with his experience of playing at the biggest stage.