Red Sox Predictions: Players who could be traded during 2019 offseason
By Tim Starr
Nathan Eovaldi went down as delivering one of the gutsiest efforts ever given by a pitcher after his 2018 World Series Game 3 relief appearance. Eovaldi, in his contract year, insurmountably raised his value after his terrific postseason, ultimately landing a 4-year, $68 million dollar contract.
Then, 2019 came and Eovaldi went from Red Sox hero to zero. After his fourth start, Eovaldi had to have loose bodies removed which caused him to miss time from mid-April to the end of July. Eovaldi came back and pitched out of the bullpen and was not effective. Injuries to starters Chris Sale and David Price forced Eovaldi back into the rotation around mid-August.
Overall, Eovaldi had a awful 2019 (5.99 ERA) and is signed for another three years at $17 million each year. The Red Sox may look to trade Eovaldi, possibly for a bullpen weapon. A team that could use mid-rotation help may look into Eovaldi’s services.
The Astros may be a logical fit for Eovaldi. Houston tried to sign Eovaldi last offseason but lost out, with the Red Sox offering a better contract. However, the Astros are losing Gerrit Cole this offseason, and Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke showed in the postseason that their age is starting to catch up with them. The Astros, who reluctantly gave up four prospects for Greinke, wouldn’t have to give up any major prospect for Eovaldi and they would have to eat around $30 million of the remaining $50 million on Eovaldi’s contract.
Overall, it is unlikely any team is willing to eat much of Eovaldi’s contract. The Red Sox trading Eovaldi to Houston is intriguing, but if Eovaldi were to help the Astros in a deep postseason run, the Red Sox front office would get mauled by the fan base.