On Dec. 23, the Boston Red Sox and longtime Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler agreed to a one-year contract.
Initial reports stated that Buehler signed with Boston for $21.05 million — the exact qualifying offer figure from the 2024-25 offseason. But a Dec. 29 report from Chris Cotillo of MassLive highlights some unique conditions in the righty's contract that weren't previously mentioned.
Cotillo shared that Buehler will receive a $3.05 million signing bonus and a $15 million base salary in 2025. The deal also contains a $25 million mutual option for the 2026 slate with a $3 million buyout, according to "an industry source."
The signing bonus, 2025 salary and buyout total the $21.05 million that was originally reported as Buehler's salary. Mutual options are so rarely exercised that the one outlined in Buehler's contract serves as a way for Boston to kick some of his payment to next season.
Red Sox, Walker Buehler contract details released after signing made official Saturday
Mutual options are never exercised. It just pushes some cash to 2026. CBT hit is $21.05M.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 29, 2024
Buehler's deal also contains some performance incentives. The righty, who underwent Tommy John surgery in early 2022 and missed nearly two full seasons as he recovered, can make an additional $2.5 million in his season with Boston. Buehler will make an additional $500,000 if he reaches 20 starts and another $500,000 for each of his 22nd, 24th, 26th and 28th starts if he reaches them.
The Red Sox don't need to kick any of Buehler's compensation down the road. He's the most expensive free agent the team has signed all offseason and the team is still tens of millions of dollars removed from any penalty under the luxury tax.
Boston hopes Buehler posts a rebound season and invokes his 2021 self — he posted a 2.47 ERA over 33 starts in the season before he underwent Tommy John surgery. The mutual option could be an extremely unlikely attempt to get an improved Buehler to stick around for 2026 or to free up a bit more money for another signing this winter.