The Red Sox’ most notable free agent signing of the winter — at least to this point — is now official, and it comes with some contract language that had previously gone unreported.
Boston announced its one-year deal with starter Walker Buehler on Saturday, confirming an agreement that first surfaced Monday. The deal is effectively a one-year, $21.05 million contract, as was previously reported, but includes a slightly more complicated structure.
According to an industry source, Buehler will receive a $3.05 million signing bonus and $15 million base salary in 2025. His deal also includes a mutual option for 2026 valued at $25 million with a $3 million buyout. Mutual options are never exercised and serve as a way for teams to kick some cash payments down the road. So Buehler will receive that buyout in a form of $3 million in 2026.
Buehler’s hit against the competitive balance tax (CBT) threshold is $21.05 million (the total of the signing bonus, base salary and buyout). But it could go up based on performance bonuses. According to a source, Buehler, who returned last season after a two-year absence due to Tommy John surgery can earn up to $2.5 million in additional money based on how many games he starts. He will be paid an additional $500,000 if he reaches 20 starts and another $500,000 for every two starts after that, up to his 28th (22, 24, 26 and 28 starts).
With the announcement, the Red Sox’ 40-man roster is now full again. Boston executed two minor trades (Cam Booser to the White Sox and Mickey Gasper to the Twins) to clear spots for new signees Buehler and Patrick Sandoval. The Red Sox have now added five pitchers — Buehler, Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Crochet, Sandoval and Justin Wilson — via free agency or trade so far this winter. Backup catcher Carlos Narvaez, acquired from the Yankees in a trade, is the only position player addition so far.
Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow will address the media about the Buehler signing Monday at 1 p.m. ET. There are no plans for an in-person press conference to introduce Buehler.
Buehler made an interesting choice when it comes to his uniform number, choosing No. 0. He wore No. 21 throughout his time with the Dodgers (since his first full season in 2018) but that number has not been issued to a Red Sox player since Roger Clemens left the organization following the 1996 season. Boston has never formally retired No. 21 but it’s unofficially off-limits.
Only two players have ever worn No. 0 for the Red Sox and both instances have come in the last decade. Infielder Brandon Phillips was the first to ever wear it during his late-season cameo in 2018 and reliever Adam Ottavino wore it in 2021.
Here’s the current Red Sox 40-man roster:
Pitchers (25): Brayan Bello, Brennan Bernardino, Walker Buehler, Aroldis Chapman, Kutter Crawford, Cooper Criswell, Garrett Crochet, Hunter Dobbins, Richard Fitts, Lucas Giolito, Luis Guerrero, Liam Hendriks, Tanner Houck, Zack Kelly, Chris Murphy, Zach Penrod, Luis Perales, Quinn Priester, Patrick Sandoval, Chase Shugart, Justin Slaten, Greg Weissert, Garrett Whitlock, Justin Wilson, Josh Winckowski
Catchers (2): Carlos Narvaez, Connor Wong
Infielders (5): Triston Casas, Rafael Devers, Vaughn Grissom, David Hamilton, Trevor Story
Outfielders (5): Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Jhostynxon Garcia, Rob Refsnyder, Masataka Yoshida
Infielder/Outfielders (3): Romy Gonzalez, Ceddanne Rafaela, Nick Sogard
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