"He’s a Yankee assassin" "Nobody wants Corbin Burnes" - fans react as Walker Buehler reportedly signs one-year, $21.05M contract with the Red Sox
World Series hero Walker Buehler is now heading to the American League East after agreeing to sign with the Boston Red Sox. The two-time World Series champion's reported contract in Boston is a brief one-year, $21.05 million deal per several MLB insiders.
"Breaking: Walker Buehler and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a one-year, $21.05 million contract, sources tell @JeffPassan. One of the Dodgers’ World Series heroes and a two-time All-Star will join a rebuilt Red Sox rotation." - @ ESPN
Buehler has established himself with the Los Angeles Dodgers having played for the team since 2017. He has endeared himself to Dodger fans far and wide, which makes his move to the Red Sox a little heart-breaking.
"Told Dodgers this will be the one that got away, Boston better take care of my guy," a fan tweeted.
"This is the one of the most heartbreaking free agency news for me. Walker Buehler will always be a Dodgers legend in my books," a fan tweeted.
While Dodger fans are visibly emotional about their starter's departure, Buehler's move has generated mixed and humorous opinions from neutral baseball fans.
"Wow. Didn't think he would leave, especially after their run," a fan tweeted.
"Alright i’m officially sick of you not having Braves news for us," a fan tweeted.
Walker Buehler's career as a Dodger
Walker Buehler made his debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sept. 7, 2017. He came on as a reliever against the Colorado Rockies and recorded his first-ever MLB strikeout against Rockies stalwart Charlie Blackmon.
Buehler has amassed a respectable resume during his eight seasons in Los Angeles. He was a two-time World Series champion, two-time All-Star and All-MLB First Team member and recorded a no-hitter in 2018.
Buehler heads to Boston carrying a 47-22 record and a 3.27 ERA across 713 and 2/3 innings. Buehler's most productive season was in 2021 when he lit up and generated a 7.1 bWAR. During that season, he tallied an impressive 16-4 record and a 2.47 ERA that saw him finish fourth in NL Cy Young voting.
Apart from all the accomplishments, Buehler will always have a place in Dodger lore after he struck out former teammate Alex Verdugo in the title-clinching Game 5 of the 2024 World Series. This gave the Dodgers its second championship in five seasons.