Should the Red Sox consider an extension for Nathan Eovaldi?
Nathan Eovaldi is entering the final year of his four-year, $68 million contract he signed with the Red Sox following the 2018 World Series win. As Eovaldi enters the walk-year for his deal, should the Red Sox consider an extension for the 31-year-old?
The contract for the right-handed hurler was a massive gamble for then President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski. The risk of Eovaldi missing time due to injury over the course of his new contract was worrisome.
During the first year of the Eovaldi struggled during the 2019 season and would miss three months due to undergoing elbow surgery. The righty would pitch in 23 games, starting 12 games earning a 2-1 record. He would finish with a career high 5.99 ERA in 67 2/3 innings pitched.
Over the last two seasons, Eovaldi has been a steal for the Red Sox. In 41 starts, the righty is 15-11 with a 3.75 ERA while serving as the ace while Chris Sale was out with Tommy John surgery. This past season, Eovaldi was named to the All-Star game for the first time in his career. Eovaldi’s leadership and health was a big reason why the Red Sox were a threat during the 2021 season.
This past season, Eovaldi went 11-9 with a 3.75 ERA in 32 starts. The Sox flame thrower struck out a career high 195 batters which was 53 away from the eventually CY Young winner Robbie Ray.
Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom will certainly consider an extension for Eovaldi. Bloom has built up pitching depth within the Red Sox system, so another young pitcher could take Eovaldi’s place in 2023. Internally, the Red Sox could look to Tanner Houck, Connor Seabold, Kutter Crawford, Garrett Whitlock or Bryan Bello as replacements.
Veteran Chris Sale can opt-out after 2022, but that feels highly unlikely and Nick Pivetta is under team control through 2024. The Red Sox signed veteran starters Michael Wacha and Rich Hill to one-year pacts this winter. Both are likely not going to be with the team as 2023 rolls around.
In addition, Bloom inked injured left-hander James Paxton to a one-year deal with two options attached. Paxton could fill the void left by Eovaldi, especially if he healthy.
Boston will have holes within their rotation that will need to be filled. Internal options listed above can help fill that void, but Eovaldi, if healthy, should be extended.
The Red Sox could look to hammer out an extension for Eovaldi before the season begins, but if fans look at the Rays model, Bloom could find an upgrade possibly via trade. Bloom could look to offer Eovaldi a similar deal as to what Paxton signed this offseason or even model a contract to the likes of Charlie Morton.
Eovaldi has earned his $68 million contract he signed with Dombrowski back in 2018, whether or not he signs a new deal with Bloom, that remains to be seen.