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Zach Pressnell is a Newsweek contributor based in Columbus, Ohio. His focus is MLB content. He has an extensive knowledge of professional baseball and all things that come with it after working closely with the sport for years. Zach has been with Newsweek since November 2024 and previously worked at FanSided and OnSI. He is a graduate of Bethany College (WV). You can get in touch with Zach by emailing z.pressnell@newsweek.com.
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The Boston Red Sox made an aggressive move in the offseason to sign former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler. Buehler was coming off a hot postseason stretch that included some World Series heroics.
But he’s struggled with the Red Sox. The righty had pitched so poorly that Boston opted to release him as it pushes toward the postseason. Now, Buehler is left looking for a job with just over a month remaining until October.
CBS Sports’ Matt Snyder recently suggested the Kansas City Royals could be one of the better suitors for Buehler in the coming days.
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“Pitching coach Brian Sweeney is developing a reputation for getting the most out of pitchers due to cases like Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Kris Bubic, and even Michael Wacha. Might the Royals take a shot here with Buehler? They don’t appear to have room in the rotation right now with Wacha and Lugo joined by Noah Cameron, Michael Lorenzen, and Ryan Bergert, but you never know.”
The Royals don’t have a glaring hole in the starting rotation, but they could look to bring Buehler to town in a hybrid role.
Buehler has shown the ability to pitch out of the bullpen if needed. At this point, the righty likely isn’t going to be picky with the role he has for whichever team signs him.
Adding him as a swing man for the Royals could boost them down the stretch. If Kansas City suffers an injury or two, the veteran could step into the rotation. But if not, he would be a fine long reliever down the stretch.
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