Nathan Eovaldi cemented himself among postseason greats in Boston Red Sox history following his stellar playoff run through the World Series victory. The 28-year-old came up clutch in all three rounds for Boston pitching some gems against two of his former teams in the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. He started and came in relief situations at times and now he’s being rewarded for his heroics.
Eovaldi reportedly has re-signed with the Red Sox on a four-year deal worth $67.5 million.
Following comes from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Free-agent RHP Nathan Eovaldi in agreement with #RedSox, pending physical, sources tell The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2018
According to a source, Eovaldi’s deal is four years and $67.5 million.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 6, 2018
Nathan Eovaldi got his start in the MLB with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011 but over the next seven years he bounced around as a piece in trades for bigger names like Hanley Ramirez and Martin Prado. He went from LA to the Miami Marlins to the Yankees, then he signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2017 and then was traded to the Red Sox midway through last season as the team was looking to solidify their rotation in hopes of a title.
He was having a great 2018 but he solidified his worth in the postseason. Following the trade, he went 2-0 against the Yankees with a 0.39 ERA in four starts against New York including his win in Game 3 of the ALDS. He went on to the ALCS where he won Game 3 against the defending champion Houston Astros delivering a very good six-inning start and then he came in relief for Game 5 with four huge outs out in the series-clinching Game 5. But Eovaldi wasn’t done there, he came up big in the World Series against the Dodgers.
Eovaldi delivered back-to-back perfect eighth innings in both Game 1 and 2 at Fenway Park to help Boston take a 2-0 lead before heading to Los Angeles. Eovaldi was slated to start Game 4 against the Dodgers but plans changed in a blink. During the Game 3 18-inning classic at Dodger Stadium, he came out of the bullpen for a solid six innings but gave up the walk-off homer to Max Muncy that ended the contest. Despite his late-game blunder, Red Sox fans still marveled at the display from Eovaldi during the postseason.
Either way you slice it, the Red Sox signed a pitcher, who would be the one or two in many rotations, to be their fourth or fifth starter and he’s still in his prime under a pretty decent contract. Eovaldi gets paid and the Red Sox secure their pitching depth. It’s a win for both sides.
