On December 19, 2014, the Yankees made a trade with the Miami Marlins, sending Martín Prado and David Phelps in exchange for Domingo Germán, who would go on to start 89 games for the Yankees, including a perfect one, and veteran first baseman Garrett Jones, who struggled in his 58 games with the Yankees before moving to Japan’s NPB. However, the standout acquisition in the trade was 24-year-old pitcher Nathan Eovaldi, known for his powerful arm but inconsistent performance.
Eovaldi’s time with the Yankees did not meet expectations. He had a 14-3 record in his first season but a mediocre 4.20 ERA and 97 ERA+. His second season ended prematurely due to a torn UCL, leading to his second Tommy John surgery and the end of his tenure with the Yankees. After missing the 2017 season, Eovaldi had a successful stint with the Rays before being traded to the Red Sox, where he excelled in the postseason, helping them win the 2018 World Series. His performance earned him a four-year, $68 million contract with the Red Sox. Despite moments of brilliance, including a standout 2021 season, Eovaldi continued to battle injuries and inconsistency.
When the Texas Rangers signed Eovaldi before the 2023 season, it didn’t generate as much excitement as their signing of Jacob deGrom. Nevertheless, Eovaldi shined in the postseason, contributing to the Rangers’ first championship. Despite a groin injury this year, he has posted a solid 3.31 ERA over 106 innings, though his expected ERA of 3.76 and FIP of 3.78 suggest potential regression. His fastball now averages 95.5 mph, and he’s allowing hard-hit contact 43.1% of the time, ranking in the 17th percentile. With the defending champions underperforming this season, the Rangers’ GM Chris Young is uncertain about their trade deadline strategy, which could involve trading Eovaldi if they decide to rebuild. At 34, with a vesting option for 2025, Eovaldi presents a risk due to his age and injury history but remains appealing to contenders for his postseason prowess.
The Yankees may consider reuniting with Eovaldi, although starting pitching is not their primary need. Given his past performance with the team and injury concerns, he may not be an ideal fit. However, Yankees GM Brian Cashman has a history of acquiring veteran starters for low cost to bolster the rotation. If Eovaldi’s price drops, Cashman might explore adding him as a high-upside supplemental piece, especially to strengthen the team for the postseason.
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