The Chicago Cubs suddenly have a clear path to a starting pitcher they had interest in last offseason. The Boston Red Sox made a surprising move on Friday, announcing that they have released veteran starting pitcher Walker Buehler.
After spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Buehler inked a one-year deal with the Red Sox last winter worth $21.05MM. Buehler's first season away from the Dodgers turned into a disaster, posting an ERA of 5.45 in 112 and 1/3 innings pitched. The Red Sox recently made the decision to move Buehler to the bullpen, a sign that there could have been some drama escalating between the two sides behind the scenes.
Suddenly, Buehler finds himself a free agent right before the deadline for postseason roster eligibility. Buehler must be signed by another team before September 1 if he is to be eligible to pitch for his new team in the postseason.
Similar to Andrew Heaney, Buehler feels like the type of move Jed Hoyer may be circling this weekend. With Jameson Taillon struggling to stay healthy over the last two months, the Cubs' potential postseason is beginning to show some warts. That is heightened by the fact that Matthew Boyd has struggled over his last two starts, and Cade Horton, as great as he has been, has exceeded his career-high in innings since being drafted by the Cubs. Depth is needed for the Cubs' pitching staff, and Buehler could certainly help as a swing man, working between the bullpen and starting rotation.
For the Cubs, if the debate is between Heaney and Buehler, it's an easy decision. Buehler has postseason experience, and his success last October with the Dodgers is one of the main reasons why the Cubs were interested in him before his move to Boston.
None of the pitchers available between now and September 1 will be a clear answer for what the Cubs' pitching staff is missing: an experienced postseason starter capable of being a definitive answer for their rotation. However, Buehler, considering his past success, may be the closest answer to that need for the Cubs.