As 2024 comes to a close, the Atlanta Braves have yet to make the major move fans were hoping for in their rotation. Now, another potential option is no longer available, as 2024 World Series hero Walker Buehler has joined the Boston Red Sox.
Although Buehler had a tough regular season, he demonstrated his potential to return to form as a top-tier starter during the playoffs, posting a 3.60 ERA over 15 innings.
Walker Buehler priced himself out of the Braves’ reach
With the Braves’ top rotation spots secured, the team entered the offseason in need of a stronger fourth or fifth starter. Buehler seemed like a perfect fit for that role as a low-risk, high-reward option.
Before undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2022, Buehler was considered one of the best starting pitchers in the game. From 2018 to 2022, he posted a 2.83 ERA over 629 innings, with a 15.4 fWAR, ranking 13th in baseball during that stretch.
However, after his surgery, Buehler didn’t return to form until this past season, and it was evident he wasn’t the same pitcher who had been an All-Star in 2021. In his 75.1 regular-season innings, Buehler struggled with a 5.38 ERA, 5.54 FIP, and a -1.3 bWAR.
In addition to his pitching troubles, Buehler also battled injuries, spending nearly two months on the IL to recover from a hip issue during the summer.
In his first playoff appearance, Buehler was rocked by the Padres for six runs in five innings, but he bounced back with two scoreless starts in the NLCS and World Series, finishing Game 5 of the World Series against the Yankees.
It was clear that Buehler would likely sign a short-term deal in the offseason to prove he could regain his peak form and earn a bigger contract next year. MLB Trade Rumors predicted a one-year deal worth $15 million, which would have been a good fit for the Braves, especially considering they’d paid Charlie Morton $20 million each of the past two seasons for similar production as a fourth starter.
Although the Braves initially showed interest in Buehler, Boston ultimately offered him a one-year contract worth $21.05 million, with incentives that could raise his pay. Given the size of the offer, it’s not surprising Atlanta passed on him. Still, with the starting pitching market shrinking, Buehler might have been the highest-upside option left for teams seeking a short-term solution.
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