Nathan Eovaldi became a postseason legend with the Boston Red Sox and won another championship with the Texas Rangers.

The now-34-year-old returns to the open market after he declined his player option to return to the Rangers after two seasons. Eovaldi will be 35 on Opening Day in 2025, but he’s more than ready to keep producing at a capable level against MLB hitters.

The Red Sox still need more in their rotation this winter. Is Eovaldi the true No. 1 starter they need? No, they need someone higher. That doesn’t mean they should pass up a chance to add a true bulldog and a starter who knows what it takes to win in Boston, particularly in the postseason.

Eovaldi went 26-18 with a 4.05 ERA and 3.73 FIP across five seasons with the Red Sox. He took it to another level in two postseason runs. He allowed just 15 earned runs in 43 innings with memorable performances ranging from 96 pitches in relief in the 2018 World Series Game 3 and defeating the New York Yankees in the 2021 American League Wild Card Game.

Obviously, time has passed and more innings have racked up on Eovaldi’s arm. Nonetheless, he’s still a solid starter who would bring more veteran presence to Boston’s young staff. Eovaldi went 12-8 with a 3.80 ERA and tallied over 170 innings in 2024. The Red Sox need that as Tanner Houck and Brayan Bello grow into greater roles in the rotation after flashes of promise in 2024.

Starting pitching will command some money on the market, though Eovaldi makes total sense for a second stint in Boston with the Red Sox.