BoSox Injection
Fansided

Red Sox free agent moves for FanSided’s faux GM simulation

By Sean Penney

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 18: Dave Dombrowski the President of Baseball Operations of the Boston Red Sox stands at home plate before a game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on September 18, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 5-4. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 18: Dave Dombrowski the President of Baseball Operations of the Boston Red Sox stands at home plate before a game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on September 18, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 5-4. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 18: Nathan Eovaldi #17 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on September 18, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 18: Nathan Eovaldi #17 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on September 18, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Nathan Eovaldi, 4-years, $60 million

The initial offer I made of 3-years, $42 million was challenged by the Chicago White Sox with a 3-year, $50 million offer. The rules of our simulation didn’t allow for us to match offers for our own free agents, forcing me to top any other suitors by at least five percent.

I was hesitant to go any higher for a pitcher who will slot in ear the back of the rotation so I countered by adding an addition year. It’s a lower average annual value than the Pale Hose were offering but with more total guaranteed. The Commissioner and Player Agent for our simulation agreed that my offer was the best one.

There is some concern about giving four years to a pitcher who has had Tommy John surgery twice, with the most recent procedure costing Eovaldi the entire 2017 season. However, he showed no ill effects from the surgery this season, displaying his trademark velocity that can hit triple digits on the radar gun. He’s only 28 years old so there isn’t much risk of decline over the duration of this deal as long as he can remain relatively healthy.

Eovaldi pitched well following a mid-season trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. He was 3-3- with a 3.33 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 8.0 K/9 in 12 games (11 starts) with the Red Sox. The right-hander followed that with an excellent postseason, winning both his starts and making four relief appearances. That includes a heroic six-inning effort to salvage the bullpen in the 18-inning marathon against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the World Series.

The price tag is a bit steep but Eovaldi earned it with an impressive postseason. Re-signing him also protects the Red Sox in case Chris Sale and/or Rick Porcello bolt in free agency next year.

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