Walker Buehler joins Red Sox for one-year deal, fans divided

The Boston Red Sox have been active during the offseason, aiming to improve their pitching depth after struggling with starting pitchers the previous season. In the 2024 MLB season, the team faced significant challenges, losing two key players — Chris Sale, who was traded, and Lucas Giolito, who had an elbow injury that sidelined him for the entire year. As a result, the Red Sox's starting pitching was stretched thin during the second half of the season, ultimately contributing to their failure to qualify for the playoffs for a third consecutive year. To address these issues, the Red Sox acquired left-handed pitcher Crochet from the Chicago White Sox in a trade involving four prospects. Crochet showed promise in his previous season with a 3.58 ERA despite his team's poor performance. Additionally, the Red Sox bolstered their roster by signing right-hander Walker Buehler, a two-time All-Star known for his recent success with the Los Angeles Dodgers and for clinching the World Series for the team. Buehler's 2024 regular season did not reflect his full potential, as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery, finishing with a 5.38 ERA after his return. Nonetheless, he performed well in the postseason. The Red Sox's current pitching roster, which now includes Buehler, also features Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Brayan Bello, and Garrett Whitlock, providing a broader selection of starters. The management has even mentioned the possibility of implementing a six-man rotation in 2025 to maintain their pitchers' health and effectiveness, especially early in the season. This strategy will allow them to maximize the effectiveness of their pitching staff as they prepare for the upcoming season. The organization's focus on revamping the pitching staff reflects a proactive approach to building a competitive team. Furthermore, Red Sox management is interested in finding a balance for their lefty-heavy batting lineup and strengthening their bullpen. The team is also holding on to promising young players like Triston Casas, who had a challenging previous season due to injury. With these strategic moves, the Red Sox aim to return to playoff contention, demonstrating an optimistic outlook for the 2025 season.