Nathan Eovaldi will reward Red Sox loyalty in 2019
A key piece of business this offseason for the Red Sox was to re-sign World Series hero Nathan Eovaldi. They were able to achieve that goal and Boston will be rewarded for their loyalty to Eovaldi in 2019.
With a hair over two weeks left until the first Spring Training game for the defending World Champions, one thing not in question is the Red Sox rotation. With David Price exercising his player option to return for this season and Chris Sale hopefully healthy, the starting squad looks strong. Another key piece to that puzzle is the returning Nathan Eovaldi.
Spending the latter half of the 2018 season in Boston, Eovaldi seems like he may have finally found a home. After bouncing around the league during his career, he was welcomed with open arms to Boston. And considering what he did for the Red Sox in that short time and in the postseason, fans won’t want him to leave anytime soon.
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Becoming a free agent after the season ended, it became an instant priority for Dave Dombrowski to bring the righty back to Boston. And in early December the Red Sox front office did exactly that. For his efforts in 2018 Eovaldi was given a new four-year, $67.5 million deal.
Nasty Nate is part of the core four of the starting rotation with the above-mentioned Price and Sale as well as fellow righty Rick Porcello. The biggest asset that Eovaldi offers to Alex Cora is the fact that he’s willing to do anything to win. He doesn’t care if it’s on short rest, coming out of the bullpen, or pitching multiple days in a row. If it means the Red Sox walk away with the ‘W,” Nate seems willing to give it his all.
With more pressure than ever now on the shoulders of Cora and the Sox to follow up their historic 2018 run to the championship, Eovaldi will need to retain that fighting spirit. If he can continue the form he showed to Red Sox Nation, he will have earned every penny the organization gave him. From his lights-out performance against the Yankees in the Bronx to the extra-inning marathon in LA, Eovaldi has earned his spot on the roster.
Will the Red Sox post another history-making season? Doubtful. What happened in 2018 was magical and a result of all the right pieces falling into place at the right time. Now, I’m not saying 2019 will be a bust by any means. I feel the Sox have more than a good chance of finding their way to the Fall Classic once again.
Per Baseball Reference, Eovaldi is projected to have an even 2019 with a 7-7 record and 4.06 ERA/103 K/31 BB. That’s a fair projection as it falls right in line with what he had done in 2018 (6-7/3.81/101/20). On the surface that may not be the flashiest line but that’s also not Nate’s style.
He won’t be that guy that is lighting up the headlines or the box score, but he gets the job done. By having another strong season where he can eat innings, keep opponent’s scoring low, and give the Boston lineup a chance at the plate, he’s paid that contract back.
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If all goes to plan for Boston and they do make it back to the postseason I see Eovaldi returning to the dual role he held in 2018. Starting on his given day and keeping ready in the bullpen in case his number gets called. With his ability to be versatile and willing to give his team all he has, he will be one of Cora’s best weapons in 2019. With the Red Sox showing their faith in Eovaldi, look for Nate to repay their confidence back in spades this season.