Former Boston Red Sox players have recently begun signing with new teams like crazy, and Walker Buehler and Dominic Smith are the latest to find new homes.
Late on February 16, Buehler signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres with an invite to big league spring training. The signing is likely a shock to many of the righty's many fans from his years in the division rival Los Angeles Dodgers organization, and even Buehler himself admitted it "feels a little weird" donning a San Diego cap.
It's hard to believe Buehler has signed a minor league deal just one year after the Red Sox signed him to a one-year, $21.05 million deal, but his 2025 season did not go as expected. Buehler didn't finish out his season with Boston after posting a 5.45 ERA over 112.1 innings of work. After the Red Sox released him, the Philadelphia Phillies picked him up. He let up one run on 10 hits, eight strikeouts and six walks over 13.2 innings. He didn't appear in the postseason, although he made the NLDS roster.
Smith signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves a season removed from his heroics with the Red Sox. Smith will serve as first base depth for Matt Olson, who is famously available — he's played a full 162-game season for the last four years.
Former Red Sox Walker Buehler and Dominic Smith sign minor league deals for 2026 season
The Red Sox signed Smith to be their backup first baseman after Triston Casas' rib injury in 2024 and he delivered for them. He batted .237/.317/.390 with 20 doubles and 34 RBI over 84 games. He also flashed the leather on a few occasions.
Since Boston designated him for assignment in 2023, Smith has suited up for the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants. Smith slashed .284/.333/.417 with a .750 OPS over 84 games in NorCal.
Red Sox infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa takes up first base during spring training
The Red Sox finally signed an experienced first baseman this offseason by bringing in Willson Contreras, as Casas' long injury history keeps him a wild card in the lineup. Contreras isn't known for his durability, however, and he's maxed out at 138 games in a season over his 10-year career (he used to be a catcher which is much more demanding, but he didn't beat his record during his first season as a first baseman).
Contreras could fall injured or need a rest before Casas is ready to return to action so the Red Sox have named a few emergency first basemen — Nick Sogard, Connor Wong and Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
Kiner-Falefa has never played first base in the major leagues before. The utility player is best suited up the middle at shortstop or second base and can play third in a pinch, but first base is entirely new territory for the veteran.
“Instead of doing it the day before they think about putting me in that situation, this gives me time to work on things and gives them time to see me out there and see if they actually want to trust me instead of doing it on the fly. It’s smart to try it early," Kiner-Falefa said (via Sean McAdam of MassLive).
Boston has had to scramble for players at the corner before. Smith had to save the day in 2024 and Abraham Toro filled in for the injured Casas in 2025 until Romy Gonzalez took over. Kiner-Falefa is a former Gold Glove winner with playing experience all over the diamond, so he could be a prime candidate to fill in at first base, but hopefully the Red Sox are confident in Contreras and Casas' ability to both stay healthy and stick there all season.