The Red Sox are in agreement with right-handers Walker Buhler He has agreed to a one-year deal worth $21.05 million, according to a report from Russell Dorsey of Yahoo Sports. The deal is still pending and includes incentives that could increase the value beyond the amount mentioned above.

It’s an interesting deal for Buehler because the $21.05 million guarantee is perfectly in line with the qualifying offer. Both Bühler himself and the Red Sox right-hander Nick Pivetta were considered borderline candidates for a QO extension at the start of winter. Ultimately, the Dodgers declined to make that offer to Buehler, while the Red Sox did so for Pivetta but were rebuffed. From a financial and roster perspective, today’s deal allows Buehler to secure the same guarantee he would have received if the Dodgers had extended him the QO, while also allowing Boston to add a veteran right-hander to its young rotation on a one-year deal that reflects that what they offered Pivetta last month.

The 30-year-old right-hander was one of the league’s most talented young starters in his rookie season in 2018, pitching superbly with a 2.82 ERA (146 ERA+) with a 3.16 FIP over four seasons from 2018-21 . That stretch ended with Buehler finishing one behind in fourth place in the NL Cy Young Award voting Corbin Burnes, Zack WheelerAnd Max Scherzer in a run that seemingly cemented his status as one of the league’s top aces. However, that career path fell apart at the start of the 2023 season. Buehler posted a relatively average 4.02 ERA (101 ERA+) in 12 starts for the Dodgers that year before going on the injured list in June and ultimately requiring Tommy John surgery.

Buehler didn’t return to the major leagues until May 2024, almost two full years later, and he struggled greatly upon his return. Due to additional injuries, Buehler only made 16 starts for the Dodgers that year, and even when he took the mound, the right-hander struggled mightily. Overall, Buehler posted a 5.38 ERA (72 ERA+) and a 5.54 FIP in his final regular season in a Dodgers uniform. Still, the right-hander managed to end his season on a positive note with a solid 3.60 ERA on the club’s path to the World Series championship that year. After a brutal start against the Padres in the NLDS, Buehler posted ten scoreless frames between the NLCS and the World Series, outscoring a third of his opponents.

More to come…