The 2024-24 offseason is coming into view for teams falling out of the playoff race and the Boston Red Sox may be among them if they continue their recent slide.
Poor pitching performances have been one of the main causes of Boston's post-All-Star slump, and top-tier pitching should be the front office's main priority this offseason. The Red Sox have already been linked to a few of the best free-agent candidates in the game, but a former fan-favorite Red Sox could become available, as well.
Nathan Eovaldi is in the back half of his two-year deal with the reigning World Series champion Rangers. His contract contains a vesting option for a third season if he pitches over 300 innings between 2023-24.
Eovaldi tossed 144 innings in 2023 and is up to 133 across 23 starts in 2024. He needs 23 more innings for the vesting option to kick in and keep him a Ranger for another year, which is entirely possible, given how many cycles through the rotation remain in the season.
Red Sox should keep an eye on Nathan Eovaldi's contract status as season nears end
Nathan Eovaldi can be a free agent after the season, and his preference is to stay with #Rangers. https://t.co/7ZHaLhA1z3
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) August 18, 2024
But if Eovaldi doesn't make it to 300 innings and the vesting option in his contract doesn't take effect, he would be a great fit for the Red Sox in free agency. He already has a rapport with Red Sox fans and would bring years of MLB and postseason experience to Boston's young rotation.
2024 could be the fifth straight season that Eovaldi posts an ERA under 4.00. He's logged a 3.79 ERA with 128 strikeouts and 30 walks, likely with just a few starts to go before his season ends.
The Red Sox would benefit most from signing a left-handed starter, which Eovaldi is not. Boston's projected 2025 rotation is all right-handers — Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello and Garrett Whitlock could use some left-handed assistance, but the Red Sox should take what they can get in terms of high-quality help.
Eovaldi is a veteran and he's displayed consistency on the mound, even into the later years of his career. If his vesting option with the Rangers does not kick in, the Red Sox should be frontrunners for his services when the offseason begins.