12 Former Red Sox Available in Free Agency
By Ryan Bunton
1. Nathan Eovaldi
When Nathan Eovaldi was scooped up by Dave Dombrowski and the Red Sox just before the trade deadline in 2018, expectations were not particularly high as Boston was Eovaldi's fifth MLB club. However, the right-handed starter proved himself mightily in the franchise's 2018 title run, including an admirable eight-inning relief performance in Game 3 of the 2018 World Series – an 18-inning marathon.
Eovaldi's performances on the bump encouraged manager Alex Cora to hand him the ball in key spots. He started Opening Day in 2020, 2021, and 2022, as well as the 2021 American League Wild Card Game over the archrival New York Yankees – a game in which Eovaldi recorded the win.
Eovaldi finished his five years in Boston with a 26-18 record with a 4.05 ERA and 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings in 96 appearances. His 2021 campaign was his best with the Sox, as he earned an All-Star nod and finished fourth in the American League Cy Young voting.
Following the 2022 season, the Texas native elected to become a free agent and joined the Texas Rangers. In his first season with the Rangers, Eovaldi won his second World Series ring and once again impressed in the postseason with a 2.95 ERA and 41 strikeouts in six starts.
The 34-year-old declined his player option for 2025 to enter free agency. In 170.2 innings for Texas in 2024, Eovaldi posted a 12-8 record with a 3.80 ERA and 166 strikeouts.
CBS Sports lists the Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals, and Arizona Diamondbacks as potential landing fits for the veteran.
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