The Boston Red Sox have been very active on the pitching front this offseason, adding multiple players like Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler to help bolster the team’s starting rotation.
These moves address some of Boston’s biggest needs, and it will be interesting to see how both players pan out. Buehler, specifically, is someone Boston fans should keep an eye on.
Buehler had many big moments in the 2024 playoffs, which Red Sox fans hope he can bring to Boston, which has not made the playoffs since 2021.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler (21) pitches during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees.
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
On Wednesday, Buehler made a bold claim about his 2025 goals. When talking with NESN’s Tom Caron, he said, “I’ve gone 200 innings before. I’m 30; I’m not 38. That’s still on the table. As long as I perform, I don’t see why I can’t throw 180 or 200 innings.”
This is certainly a high-level goal for Buehler, who, during his tenure with the Dodgers, had to miss nearly two years recovering from Tommy John surgery.
And when he returned last season, he posted a 5.38 ERA over 75.1 innings and 16 starts.
In 2022, he made just 12 starts.
He comes with a lot of hope because after having a brutal 2024 regular season, Buehler looked to regain some confidence and semblance of his old form in October, and another year removed from Tommy John leaves Boston faithful hopeful for the 2025 season.
