*This is a prediction*
As the 2026 MLB offseason continues to take shape, teams around the league are beginning to solidify their rosters in MLB Free Agency. Pitching remains the most coveted commodity on the market. For the Philadelphia Phillies, that is a need that can be filled by Walker Buehler.
After an up-and-down 2025 campaign split between two stops, Buehler’s late-season resurgence in Philadelphia showed that he still has frontline upside. With that in mind, the Phillies reuniting with the former All-Star feels like a natural and strategic move.
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Walker Buehler Joining Philadelphia Phillies in MLB Free AgencyÂ
The Phillies have been aggressive in recent off seasons, consistently operating as a win-now franchise with one of the highest payrolls in baseball. After another deep playoff push, the front office understands that keeping the rotation strong is essential if they want to remain among the National League’s elite.
Walker Buehler checks that box.
Buehler’s 2025 season was a tale of two halves. Across the full year, he finished 7-7 with a 5.45 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and 84 strikeouts in 112⅓ innings pitched before being released by the Boston Red Sox.
While those surface numbers don’t jump off the page, the context behind his performance matters. Buehler began the season with Boston on a one-year, $21.05 million contract that included performance bonuses and a mutual 2026 option, but he struggled with injuries and command before being moved to the bullpen.
How Walker Buehler Fits with the Philadelphia PhilliesÂ
Everything changed once he arrived in Philadelphia late in the season. In his limited appearances with the Phillies, Buehler looked far closer to the pitcher who once dominated in Los Angeles. Over that small sample, he posted an impressive 0.66 ERA, showing the improved command and bite that made him a frontline starter earlier in his career. (Note: statistics based on full season splits and Phillies stretch performance).
More importantly, his confidence on the mound — an intangible that’s hard to quantify — visibly returned when surrounded by a competitive staff and strong defensive support.
Buehler still brings a proven pitch mix that plays at the highest level. His fastball-slider combination remains his bread and butter, while his curveball and cutter give him multiple weapons to attack hitters.
At 31 years old, he may no longer be the Cy Young-caliber ace he once was in Los Angeles, but he’s far from washed, especially when surrounded by strong supporting talent.
Walker Buehler ContractÂ
He signed a one-year, $21.05 million contract with potential bonuses and a mutual option for 2026 with the Boston Red Sox, a substantial raise reflecting his postseason value and prior track record.
He then joined the Phillies on a minor league contract late in the season after being released by Boston and ultimately earned a promotion back to the big-league roster.
Some projections suggest that a rebound season could place him in the range of 2–3 years at roughly $15–$20 million per year, depending on how teams value his postseason experience and upside.
From a fit perspective, Philadelphia makes perfect sense. Pairing Buehler with Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sánchez, and Ranger Suárez gives the Phillies one of the deepest rotations in baseball. It also hedges the risk of Wheeler’s ongoing recovery and Nola’s quest to bounce back.
Ultimately, re-signing Walker Buehler is a calculated bet on upside, familiarity, and postseason experience. Given how well he performed in Philadelphia and how seamlessly he fit into the clubhouse, it’s a move that aligns perfectly with the Phillies’ championship ambitions.