The Boston Red Sox are in need of a starting pitcher as the trade deadline approaches and Nathan Eovaldi seems like an ideal fit for them.
But the New York Post’s Jon Heyman believes Red Sox fans shouldn’t get ahead of themselves when it comes to a potential reunion with Eovaldi.
The veteran right-hander is having another strong season with the Rangers, but Texas has underachieved coming off a World Series victory. The Rangers have been plagued by a litany of injuries and start the second half of the season with a 46-50 record. They also sit five games back of the Seattle Mariners for the top spot in the American League West.
The situation could be right for the Rangers to offload a piece like the aging Eovaldi, but Heyman thinks there’s a “low” chance of Texas trading him.
“The defending champs will likely go for it with Jacob deGrom, Tyler Mahle, Evan Carter and Josh Jung returning,” Heyman wrote. “(Eovaldi) has complicated player-vesting option for 2025.”
While the Rangers might hang onto Eovaldi, the Red Sox should at least give them a call and see what the asking price is for the 34-year-old.
Eovaldi continues to be a reliable arm for Texas as he posted a 6-3 record with a 2.97 ERA and a 1.043 WHIP in 16 starts so far this season. He also recorded 92 strikeouts in 94 innings and spent almost the entire month of May on the injured list due to a groin strain.
The Red Sox obviously are familiar with what Eovaldi can do on the mound and he certainly would bolster the starting rotation with Boston making a push for the playoffs.
Eovaldi would be a big aid if the Red Sox get into the postseason, too, since he is a proven playoff performer with two World Series titles under his belt — one with the Red Sox and one with the Rangers. Eovaldi went 5-0 in the playoffs last October and owns a 9-3 postseason record in total with a 3.05 ERA.
The Rangers in all likelihood will keep Eovaldi, but it’s hard not to envision him as a member of the Red Sox again and leading a postseason charge.
