The big news on Dec. 23 was the Boston Red Sox’s signing of Walker Buehler on a one-year prove-it deal worth $21.05 million.
There’s been speculation throughout this offseason that Buehler might come to Boston, with the Sox looking to upgrade their rotation and Buehler being a high-ceiling option who looked great in the postseason. That speculation has turned into reality.
Buehler is one of three big moves the Red Sox have made this offseason to upgrade their rotation. They paid a high price in prospect capital to acquire the White Sox’ Garrett Crochet, giving the rotation the ace it needs. Then, a week later, they picked up free agent Patrick Sandoval on a two-year, $18.25 million contract. Buehler is the third new starter in the rotation for 2025.
All of this new blood begs the question: what happens to the returners?
For Kutter Crawford, who showed promise last year as a full-time starter, he’ll likely be relegated to the bullpen. Crawford started 2024 on a tear but regressed over the course of the season, and while he did fill over 180 innings for the Red Sox, he allowed an MLB-worst 34 home runs and finished the year with a 4.36 ERA.
With Brayan Bello, Tanner Houck and Lucas Giolito also vying for rotation spots, it’s hard to see Crawford remaining a full-time starter. Even though Sandoval will miss half of 2025 as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, Crawford will likely be the odd man out.
Kutter Crawford could be looking at a move to the bullpen after Red Sox signed Walker Buehler
That being said, teams benefit from having “long arms” in the bullpen, guys who can eat innings if the starter has a bad outing. Crawford’s starting experience should allow him to fill that role. He’s also good insurance if the Sox have an injury in the rotation, as he can make a spot start.
The other alternative is to trade Crawford. It might sound crazy given how much the Red Sox have focused on improving their pitching this offseason, but since he likely won’t have a rotation spot, the Sox could better allocate their resources. Crawford certainly has some value, as he’s shown promise and he still has four years of club control remaining. They might be able to grab a prospect or another reliever, since Aroldis Chapman and Liam Hendriks are both wild cards.
Either way, the Buehler signing gives the Red Sox options — always a good problem to have. The front office has done well to add pitching this offseason, and moving Crawford to the bullpen or trading him is a price worth paying to upgrade the rotation.
