Prospective Chicago Cubs target in agreement on one-year deal with Boston Red Sox

The Chicago Cubs have been in the pitcher market over the past few weeks, looking to improve their rotation heading into next season.

The Cubs signing another starter before the campaign seems like a given, and while there are plenty of options, they lost a potential one Monday morning.

According to Russell Dorsey of Yahoo SportsThe Boston Red Sox agree to terms with Walker Buehler on a one-year deal.

“Breaking: Right-hander Walker Buehler and the Boston Red Sox agree to a one-year, $21.05 million deal that includes incentives, sources tell Yahoo Sports. The two-time World Series champion with the Dodgers will now be the veteran arm in Boston’s new look rotation.”

Buehler, a right-hander who was one of the best starters in Major League Baseball before injuries derailed his career, will have an opportunity to raise his value with the Red Sox.

Chicago had been linked to him in the past and the idea of ​​signing him made sense.

Wrigley is one of the most pitcher-friendly ballparks in baseball, and for a guy who needs to raise his value on a short-term deal, he should have been intrigued by potentially playing with the Cubs.

However, Chicago could also dodge a bullet here.

Walker looked excellent during the postseason, throwing elite-level baseball in high-leverage moments, but beyond that, his 2024 campaign didn’t go as planned, throwing just 75 1/3 innings and posting a 5.38 ERA.

If Boston gets the old Buehler, their staff will look a lot better.

If not, they’ll be lucky to get 75 innings out of him.