After years of waiting from their fanbase, the Boston Red Sox finally closed a competitive free agent deal when they signed Walker Buehler on Dec. 23.
Many Boston fans hoped the organization would go all-out for one of the biggest free agents of the winter, like Juan Soto or Corbin Burnes, but plenty of Red Sox Nation is still excited for Buehler's arrival. Buehler seems happy to pitch in Boston, too.
In a Dec. 27 social media post, Buehler greeted Red Sox fans and announced his jersey number for the 2025 slate — zero. A slew of Sox fans greeted him enthusiastically in the comments, and many LA fans said their goodbyes to the seven-year Dodger.
Many Red Sox fans are particularly warm to Buehler after his performance in the World Series. He closed out Game 5 against the Yankees and put Alex Verdugo away with a strikeout to secure the Commissioner's Trophy for the Dodgers.
Walker Buehler's social media posts in a Red Sox uniform have Boston fans even more excited for the upcoming season
What up Boston? #0 here… See y’all soon pic.twitter.com/QJZpq9joSw
— Walker Buehler (@buehlersdayoff) December 28, 2024
Buehler will bring experience and attitude to a relatively young Red Sox rotation. Alongside Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito, Boston hopes Buehler will be able to activate his 2021 self in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. Four seasons ago, the righty posted a 2.47 ERA in 207.2 innings across a league-leading 33 starts. He collected 212 strikeouts and 52 walks, an All-Star nod, and Cy Young votes.
Buehler didn't have the best season in 2024 (5.38 ERA, 1.553 WHIP) but a change of scenery could serve him well. The 30-year-old has seven pitches in his arsenal, and pitching coach Andrew Bailey could help him refine his approach by using his best stuff to his advantage, just as he did with Houck last season.