The Boston Red Sox, having traded away their star hitter Rafael Devers, may consider additional trades to add young talent before the July 31 trade deadline if they decide to focus on rebuilding beyond 2025. According to ESPN analysts Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan, Walker Buehler is a pitcher who could draw significant interest from several teams if the Red Sox give up on this season.
Despite the recent loss of Devers to the San Francisco Giants, Boston’s roster still includes Jordan Hicks among the new arrivals, but many fans feel the team has effectively punted on this year’s campaign.
Teams Contending and Wild Card Standings Affect Trade Decisions
One challenge facing American League teams approaching the deadline is determining whether to remain competitive or begin rebuilding. Currently, the six teams outside the wild-card race are all within 3.5 games of the final playoff spot, making the playoff picture tightly contested. The Red Sox are among these teams, sitting 1.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners as the third wild card contender, and have just suffered a three-game losing streak that pulled their record back to an even 40-40.
Even if Boston remains hopeful about making the playoffs, trading Buehler could make sense for the value they might obtain, given their uncertain position and his struggles this season.
Buehler’s Challenges and Why He Could Be Traded
Walker Buehler signed a one-year contract with the Red Sox last offseason but has endured a difficult year on the mound. In 13 starts, his earned run average (ERA) stands at 6.29, reflecting poor performance. Opposing hitters have had remarkable success against his fastball and cutter, with batting averages of .368 and .400 and slugging percentages of .868 and .610 respectively, according to Baseball Savant.
By contrast, Buehler’s other pitches—the sinker, slider, and sweeper—have been more effective, holding batters to slugging marks at or below .333. While lacking an effective fastball typically hinders a pitcher’s success, Buehler did find October success with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year despite similar issues during the regular season.
Teams Interested and Market Implications Before Deadline
Several teams are reportedly interested in acquiring Buehler if available. These include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, and San Diego Padres. The starting pitcher market leading up to the trade deadline is not particularly competitive, which could make Buehler an affordable option for contending clubs.
Since Buehler is set to become a free agent after this season, the Red Sox might not demand a high price, allowing playoff hopefuls to consider him as a potential key contributor in October despite his struggles this year.
Implications for the Red Sox and Future Outlook
The decision to trade Buehler hinges on how the Red Sox evaluate their chances this season and beyond. Moving him could accelerate a rebuild focused on the 2026 season and later, especially if the front office concludes the current roster cannot contend for a playoff spot. For teams seeking rotation help without a large financial commitment, Buehler presents a gamble that could pay off in the postseason.
The outcome of these trade discussions will influence roster construction for the remainder of 2024 and set the tone for Boston’s strategy in coming years as they balance short-term wins against long-term development.