It would obviously be in the franchise’s best interest for Walker Buehler to pitch well for the Red Sox, but it could also accelerate his departure from Boston.
Buehler and the Red Sox reportedly agreed to a one-year contract on Monday. Veteran right-hander Long was expected to sign a short-term deal this offseason as he recovers from the second Tommy John surgery of his career and needs to recharge.
If Buehler pitches at the level that has made him a Cy Young Award candidate in the past, he will be in a good position to cash in on the open market next year. That may make it difficult for Boston to re-sign the two-time World Series champion, but the club could receive some sort of farewell if he leaves after just one season.
“Another perk for the Sox is that if Buehler performs close to his pre-Tommy John level, they will be in a position to make a qualifying offer at the end of the season,” Audacity’s Rob Bradford said. he wrote in a column published Monday.
If Buehler pitches at an All-Star level in 2025, he will almost certainly decline a one-year qualifying offer after the season. But if the 30-year-old signs a multi-year deal with his new team, the Red Sox will receive a draft pick in return. Boston chose to go that route with Nick Pivetta this offseason, and it proved to be a great decision for Craig Breslow and company.
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Of course, it’s too early for the Red Sox to worry about Buehler’s future. The focus should be on helping the two-time All-Star thrive in the rookie rotation.
