The Boston Red Sox are facing a challenging season, one that has quickly transformed from hopeful expectations to looming uncertainty. With a record of 29-34, they find themselves five games back from a playoff position and staring down a ten-game deficit in the American League East. What’s particularly alarming is their struggle in close games, having lost 17 of 23 one-run contests, alongside seven walk-off defeats that sting even more.
As we dive into June, the pressure is mounting. The specter of the trade deadline looms larger with each passing game, and the Red Sox may find themselves at a crossroads. If they continue on this disheartening trajectory, they’ll have some tough decisions to make about selling key assets before the July 31 deadline. This would be a drastic pivot for a team that entered the season with aspirations of a deep playoff run.
One name that could potentially be on the trading block is starting pitcher Walker Buehler, who joined the Red Sox on a one-year, $21.05 million contract this offseason. In a recent discussion on ESPN, insider Jeff Passan identified Buehler as a strong fit for a return to the Los Angeles Dodgers—the team that saw him flourish during the first seven years of his promising career.
Passan pointed out that the Dodgers aren’t merely focused on regular-season success; their aim is to assemble a powerhouse roster for the postseason. They witnessed firsthand the kind of playoff performer Buehler can be, delivering four shutout innings against the Mets and five against the Yankees last October, ultimately sealing a World Series title with clutch performances.
Despite navigating a challenging regular season last year with a 5.38 ERA, Buehler’s transformation in the playoffs made it clear just how impactful he can be when the stakes are highest. This season, while he owns a 4.46 ERA, the Dodgers would likely bring a level of trust in his ability to elevate his game again when it matters most.
If the Red Sox find themselves needing to part ways with Buehler, their focus would shift to securing quality prospects in return. Given Buehler’s playoff experience, combined with health concerns and his declining velocity, this situation represents a challenging but necessary step for a franchise hoping to rebuild its competitive edge. The Red Sox certainly want to right the ship, but as the season rolls on, the reality of making difficult decisions could soon become unavoidable.
