So here we are, less than a year after the Red Sox rolled the dice, it’s game over in Boston for Walker Buehler. The club cut ties with the former Dodgers ace on Friday, closing the door on what turned out to be a rocky, short-lived stay in Fenway.
His ERA ballooned to 5.45, his command never came back post-surgery, and the second Tommy John in 2023 clearly left a mark. But let’s be honest — this isn’t the end of the road.
Because for all the recent struggles, Walker Buehler still wears two rings, still owns a 3.04 ERA in the postseason, and still knows how to show up when it matters. And with September around the corner and playoff races heating up, you better believe a handful of contenders are already circling.
Back to Where It All Began? The Dodgers Make Sense
You can almost hear the speculation already: could Buehler return to L.A.? He didn’t leave on bad terms — the Dodgers just didn’t have a rotation spot open last offseason. But now? That rotation is being held together with duct tape and hope. Roki Sasaki, Tony Gonsolin, River Ryan, and Gavin Stone — all hurt.
Buehler knows the system. He knows October. If the Dodgers want familiarity and postseason pedigree to stabilize the backend of the rotation, this move practically writes itself.
Mets Could Use the Help, And the Narrative
The Mets are sitting at 73-62, still in the wildcard mix, but their rotation has been leaking innings and burning out their bullpen. They rank 18th in total innings pitched by starters — not exactly what you want heading into the most important month of the year.
Buehler isn’t a guaranteed fix, but he’s a high-upside, low-risk veteran who could slot in and stabilize things. Plus, imagine the storyline: Buehler resurrecting his season in Queens with a shot at redemption in the postseason. That’s New York drama written for the back pages.
Philadelphia’s Rotation Is Elite, But Now Missing an Ace
The Phillies are built for October. Sitting at 78-57 and leading the NL East, they were cruising… until Zack Wheeler went down. Losing an ace like Wheeler is a brutal blow — but insert Buehler, and suddenly there’s a lifeline.
He doesn’t have to carry the team. He just has to be steady. And with the option to ease him in as part of a six-man rotation or even plug him into high-leverage bullpen spots, this might actually be a perfect situation for him. Low pressure, high reward.
Yankees: Because of Course
Now let’s talk about the New York Yankees. They’re not leading their division, their bullpen has been shaky, and their offense is in one of those mysterious “we forgot how to hit” stretches. So what do the Yankees do when the pressure mounts? They go big-name hunting.
If there’s any team that loves a splashy late-season acquisition, it’s the Bronx Bombers. Buehler has the resume. He has the stage presence. And New York needs something to jolt them back into contention. Would it work? Who knows. But it would be very Yankee.
Cubs Are Quietly Desperate for Rotation Help
Don’t sleep on Chicago. The Cubs are hanging on in the NL Central and clinging to their wildcard lead, but losing Justin Steele to Tommy John left a hole the size of Wrigley’s ivy-covered walls. Their rotation has been inconsistent, and Buehler could be the veteran arm to calm the chaos.
Sure, he’s not the 2020 version anymore, but if the Cubs want to stay in the October conversation, reinforcements are non-negotiable.
This Isn’t the End of the Buehler Story
The Red Sox release may look like a low point, but here’s the thing: playoff-tested pitchers don’t grow on trees in September. Walker Buehler has battled through injuries, endured a rough season, and still holds the kind of postseason track record that GMs salivate over.
Don’t be surprised if, in a few weeks, you’re watching him toe the rubber with everything on the line — again. Buehler may be out in Boston, but the real season is just beginning.
