Walker Buehler Reportedly to Draw 'Plenty of' Trade Suitors if Red Sox Punt on Season

Having already traded their best hitter, the Boston Red Sox might have other opportunities to bring back young talent before the trade deadline if they decide to look ahead to 2026 and beyond.

Per ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan, Walker Buehler would have "plenty of suitors" prior to the July 31 trade deadline if the Red Sox throw in the towel on 2025.

Red Sox fans might argue they've already punted on this season after trading Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants for a package of four players, with Jordan Hicks being the only one on Boston's 26-man roster.

One potential issue for many AL teams trying to figure out their trade deadline plans is deciding if they're out of contention. The top six teams currently outside of the wild-card race are all within 3.5 games of the final playoff spot.

The Red Sox fall into the latter category, trailing the Seattle Mariners by 1.5 games as the third wild-card team. They are in the midst of a three-game losing streak that has dropped them back to .500 at 40-40.

Even if the Red Sox don't want to give up on the season, they could justify trading Buehler anyway for whatever return they might get. The right-hander, who signed a one-year deal last offseason, has struggled all season with a 6.29 ERA in 13 starts.

Teams potentially interested in Buehler could attempt to change his repertoire because his fastball and cutter have been obliterated this season. Opposing hitters have a .368 average with an .868 slugging against the heater and a .400 average with a .610 slugging percentage against the cutter, per Baseball Savant.

By comparison, opponents are slugging .333 or worse against Buehler's sinker, slider and sweeper. It's hard to work without a fastball, but he did have success with the Los Angeles Dodgers last October when that pitch was also a problem during the regular season.

The Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres are among the teams listed by McDaniel and Passan as potentially having interest in Buehler.

Given that the market for starting pitching doesn't seem particularly strong leading up to the July 31 deadline and the likely low cost to acquire Buehler since he is an impending free agent, there are contending teams that could easily talk themselves into him being a difference-maker in October if the Red Sox move him.