The Chicago Cubs have been active in the pitcher market in recent weeks, looking to improve their rotation for next season.

The Cubs’ commitment to signing another starter before the campaign seems like a given, and while there are plenty of options available, they lost a potential starter Monday morning.

According to Russell Dorsey of Yahoo Sports, the Boston Red Sox have agreed to terms with Walker Buehler on a one-year contract.

“Breaking: Right-hander Walker Buehler and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a one-year, $21.05 million deal that includes incentives, sources tell Yahoo Sports. The two-time World Series champion with the Dodgers will now join the veteran team in Boston’s new-look rotation.

Buehler, a right-handed hitter who was one of the best starters in Major League Baseball before injuries derailed his career, will have an opportunity to increase his value with the Red Sox.

Chicago had been linked to him in the past and the idea of ​​signing him made sense.

Wrigley is one of the most pitcher-friendly ballparks in baseball, and for someone who needs to increase his value through a short-term deal, he should have been interested in potentially playing for the Cubs.

However, Chicago could dodge a bullet here too.

Walker looked excellent in the postseason, throwing the baseball at an elite level in high-leverage moments, but otherwise his 2024 season didn’t go as planned, pitching just 75 1/3 innings and posting a 5.38 ERA.

If Boston gets the old Buehler, their staff will look much better.

If not, they’ll be lucky to get 75 innings out of him.