The Red Sox are close on a four year $68 million deal for Natha Eovaldi. The rumors started Tuesday night that the Red Sox were the only team interested in the right-hander.
Following a slow start to the offseason, it seems the hot stove may finally be heating up for the Boston Red Sox.
According to Robert Murray of The Athletic, talks between the Red Sox and right-handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi are intensifying.
#RedSox negotiations with Nathan Eovaldi intensifying, sources tell The Athletic.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) December 5, 2018
It was rumored that the New York Yankees were interested in the right-hander as a plan B option after they lost out on primary free agent target, Patrick Corbin. However, a report from Joel Sherman of the New York Post indicated that the Yankees were hesitant to give Eovaldi the four year offer he’s likely to receive from other suitors. That may take New York out of the running.
It looks like the Red Sox are going to get Eovaldi, with Fancred’s Jon Heyman reporting that the deal would be for around four years and $17 million per season.
hearing Eovaldi, Red Sox talks are getting serious, as @ByRobertMurray said. talk heard was for four years at close to 17M a year.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 5, 2018
Some may think that a 4-year, $68 million deal is a bit much but Eovaldi proved his worth in the postseason.
Eovaldi was 6-7 with a 3.81 ERA during the regular season. In 111 innings pitched, he gave up only 14 home runs and only one walk. He also recorded 101 strikeouts. His WHIP was 1.126.
His ERA in the postseason was an impressive 1.61. He only gave up one home run, three walks, and recorded 16 strikeouts. His WHIP was a 0.806. I would take the postseason numbers any day over the regular season ones.
Four years and $68 million is what you get when you put up those postseason numbers and win a World Series. He really was their go-to guy out of the bullpen. All season long, the bullpen struggled to get outs in the eighth inning. However, it was Eovaldi who would sometimes pitch in the eighth in the postseason and pitch well. He didn’t let the moment get to him remained calm and shined when it mattered the most.
Dave Dombrowski confirmed the team’s interest in bringing Eovaldi back on Monday, according to the Boston Globe.
"“We have expressed that we do have interest in bringing Nathan back. We’ve talked to him. But so have a lot of other people talked to him. There’s a lot of interest in him. 11 We’ve talked about that. But he’s got a lot of choices at this time.’’"
Twenty-four hours later, it looks like he’s narrowed down his choices to the Red Sox. The Yankees and Astros don’t seem interested in paying him close to $68 million for four years.
Many people will say four years and $68 million is a risk for a pitcher who has had two Tommy John surgeries and was considered merely average before his postseason success. In 2019, Eovaldi is projected to go 7-7 with a 4.06 ERA. But again, it’s all about the playoffs and championships in Boston.
If I was Eovaldi, I would want to sign here because it’s a perfect fit. The fans like him, he pitches well, and most importantly, he can win multiple championships in Boston. New York has some issues with leadership and their manager, in my opinion. Having the right manager to get the players in the right mindset to play in intense situations. That worked for Eovaldi and hopefully, the next four years goes well for him and the team.