The Walker Buehler experiment in Boston is over. The Red Sox have officially released the struggling pitcher, and he will now be a free agent just days before the September call-ups begin.

It may have sucked for the Buehler fans who wanted him to get back to his former self, but it had to be done. With the September call-ups coming around the corner, there’s a deadline that needs to be met. There has to be a fall guy or two, and Buehler was one of them.

Red Sox End Failed Walker Buehler Experiment

This is more like an eulogy than an actual article. Buehler was someone who, if played to his full potential, would be a dominating force right now in that 2025 Red Sox starting rotation. In a way, he would’ve changed the entire landscape of that rotation if he played to at least a semblance of what he used to be.

But having an ERA of 5.45 in 22 starts is something that needs to be witnessed as a whole. Buehler’s command was off this entire season, and no matter what he tried, it seemed like every offense had his number. Everyone was a step or five ahead of him, and he could never catch up. That usually happens when he can’t control his best pitch, which the sweeper played a key role in this year. That was the one area where he was improving, increasing the breaking on his pitches.

Now, he may never get that chance again.

No team is going to want someone with walk issues, and he’s going to need to make a Rich Hill-like comeback if he ever wants to succeed at this level again. Knowing Buehler, he’ll do his absolute best. But sadly, that may not be enough anymore. He may have to consider a serious life change if things don’t work out soon, especially after disappointing Boston.

Buehler should get another job, especially with a worse team, in hopes of said comeback. But how much of that mentality does he have left from 2021? Because that was the last year where he was amazing, striking out 212 batters with a 2.47 ERA and 171 ERA+, finishing fourth in the National League Cy Young Voting.

I’ll always love Buehler for his storied career, but now he’s become a tragic afterthought. There’s a possibility of him keeping his career intact, but at the elite level he once had? Probably not. It’s a sad day for him, but for the Red Sox, it’s just another example of a failed offseason signing.

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