Red Sox reportedly agree to one-year deal with Walker Buehler

The Red Sox and Walker Buehler: The Red Sox jumped back into the MLB offseason headlines with a Monday morning report that Boston is once again adding to its starting rotation.

According to Russell Dorsey of Yahoo Sports (and ESPN’s Jeff Passan), the Red Sox have agreed to a one-year deal worth $21.05 million with two-time All-Star Walker Buehler.

Buehler, 30, has spent his entire MLB career with the Dodgers, with whom he’s won two World Series titles, including 2024. He holds a career 3.27 ERA and has been dominant for large stretches — such as his 2021 season when he posted a 16-4 record with a 2.47 ERA.

Yet injuries in the past few seasons have limited him — he missed all of 2023 — and his effectiveness was spotty in 2024 at best. Pitching just 75.1 innings in this past year, Buehler’s ERA ballooned to 5.38.

In the postseason, he was shaky in the division series before finding his footing in the later rounds. After holding the Yankees scoreless for five innings in his Game 3 World Series start, Buehler then returned on short rest to pitch the final inning of Game 5.

He recorded the final outs of the Fall Classic, clinching another title for the Dodgers:

Buehler’s deal is still pending a physical, per both Dorsey and Passan.

His addition to the Red Sox rotation represents the latest piece Boston management has added in the offseason. While the Red Sox missed out on Juan Soto, the team has already acquired a top-level starter in left-hander Garrett Crochet via a deal with the White Sox.

Trivia: Walker Buehler was drafted by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft. Who did the Red Sox take in the first round that year?

(Answer at the bottom.)

Hint: He became a starting outfielder and helped the Red Sox win the 2018 World Series. He was eventually traded from Boston, and played for the White Sox in the 2024 season.

Scores and schedules:

The Patriots lost to the Bills 24-21 on Sunday, falling to 3-12 on the season. The Patriots play again in a rare Saturday game on Dec. 28 at home against the Chargers at 1 p.m.

The Bruins host the Capitals tonight at 7 p.m.

Also tonight, the Celtics face the Magic in Orlando at 7 p.m.

More from Boston.com:

Another look: The 2024 season is not one Patriots fans will remember with fondness, but it’s given fans a glimpse at Drake Maye’s potential. This was highlighted on Sunday by a pinpoint touchdown toss.

🎯🎯🎯 pic.twitter.com/esaVCP8VYA

— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024

On this day: In 1979, Bruins players got involved in a memorable brawl at Madison Square Garden amid a game with the Rangers. The infamous fight spread into the stands as Boston players crossed a literal (and metaphorical) line. The fallout was widespread, with suspensions and fines resulting from the incident.

Aside from the fighting, the Bruins emerged with a 4-3 win over New York.

Daily highlight: A nice moment for father and son, as 15-year-old Charlie Woods hit his first career hole-in-one during the PNC Championship.