Philadelphia Gives Up On Ambitions As Outcast Red Sox Star Signing Sparks Outrage In Phillies Nation

The Phillies are familiar with midseason roster shakeups; however, the team’s current move has left fans divided. With the team battling inconsistency and bullpen woes, the management made a vital addition just before rosters expanded. However, for some in Philadelphia, the signing looks less like a spark of hope and more like déjà vu, specifically, after the painful struggles of Jordan Romano.

It has been a season defined by unpredictability for the Phillies’ pitching staff. Jordan Romano, once one of baseball’s most frightening closers, has delivered a doomed debut year in Philadelphia. Dealing with finger inflammation and wavering velocity, he has stumbled to a career-worst 8.23 ERA. His latest meltdown, four runs surrendered to the Mets, only penetrated the frustration. Manager Rob Thomson acknowledged the injury likely impacted Romano’s grip and command, but fans have burned out of waiting for improvement. “He wants to pitch,” Thomson mentioned; however, the city’s tolerance is dwindling.

Against that backdrop came the headline-grabbing signing. Talkin’ Baseball reported, “Phillies add Walker Buehler,” while ESPN’s Buster Olney confirmed the deal was finalized. Walker Buehler, released by the Red Sox earlier this week, now joins Philadelphia and will be eligible for the postseason roster. Once a rising talent with the Dodgers, Buehler brings name recognition but also dazzling concerns. His 5.45 ERA with Boston and lessened pace have posed questions about whether he can truly help the Phillies.

So, how will the Phillies use him? ESPN’s Jeff Passan noted that the right-hander could sneak into spot starts during the exhausting 15-games-in-15-days stretch or serve as bullpen depth. His postseason capability makes the gamble fascinating, though the Phillies hardly lack for rotation arms. Thomson and the staff must weigh whether Buehler is a stabilizer or just another reclamation project destined to disappointment, much like Romano has this year. And that’s why fans, still scarred by recent collapses, are not convinced.

Buehler’s pedigree, two-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion, and NLCS/World Series hero in 2024, suggests a pitcher with postseason balance. Yet since undergoing Tommy John and flexor repair surgeries, he has looked like a shadow of that ace. With opponents teeing off on his once-dominant fastball, his signing feels more like a dice roll than a solution. Philadelphia’s faithful, already burned by Romano’s nightmare season, see this as a flashback.

That annoyance spilled swiftly onto social media, where Phillies fans weighed in with raw emotion. Their reactions ranged from sarcastic jabs to outright pessimism, showcasing how fragile faith has become after Romano’s ordeal run.

Fans react to Buehler signing as trust in the Phillies Wavers

The Phillies are still mathematically alive, but the road ahead looks demoralizing. Sitting at 79–58 in the NL East, their margin for error has shrunk, and late-inning collapses have hurt momentum. One fan summed it up bluntly: “Phillies out of playoff contention.” While technically not eliminated, the sentiment utter that Romano’s struggles and signing of Buehler have cast a shadow over what should have been a playoff season.

Romano’s stats tell the story. With an 8.23 ERA and several blown saves, he has become a symbol of inconsistency. That is why another fan quipped, “I guess you can’t really get worse than Romano.” Statistically, Romano has been among the league’s most incompetent relievers in 2025, and his finger injury only magnified the suspicion. For many, acquiring Buehler feels less like a solution and more like trading one problem for another.

Comparisons to other pitchers were not far behind. One fan posted, “Buehler will be the Dodgers’ Tanner Scott in Philly.” Back in July, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Scott was dealing with forearm discomfort and emotional struggles, noting his velocity had fallen from 97.0 to 96.4 mph. That is similar for Phillies fans because Buehler’s own fastball velocity has also dropped from his prime, sounding the alarm about whether he can avoid a similar downturn.

Still, not every fan saw the move as negative. One comment read: “Good for Walker. Gets to play for a legit contender rather than a pretend one in Boston.” Despite his 5.45 ERA this year, Buehler is postseason-eligible for Philadelphia, something he would not have had with the Red Sox. Given his October pedigree with the Dodgers, some fans consider in the right role, he could rediscover flashes of his former dominance.

Then there were the simplest reactions, dripping with sarcasm. “Lol Phillies,” one fan remarked, summing up the exasperation of fans who have endured bullpen meltdowns, questionable signings, and fading playoff hopes. At 79 wins, it looks like the weight of Romano’s failure and the uncertainty related to Buehler have made optimism hard to come by. For every fan holding out hope, there are many more bracing for the worst.

The Phillies’ bet has drawn mixed reactions, from optimism about adding depth to skepticism grounded in past nightmares. With the NL East race tightening and October looming, Philly fans remain divided. Will this move prove genius or folly? Stay tuned as the postseason picture continues to unfold.