Red Sox expressing interest in reunion with fan favorite pitcher in free agency

The Boston Red Sox need an ace above all other things before the 2025 campaign, but they could use multiple veteran pitching additions.

Boston’s rotation is relatively young and inexperienced. Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford are both 28 years old and Brayan Bello is only 25. They made at least 30 starts for the first time in their careers over the 2024 campaign, which is great progress for all three hurlers. Still, they could benefit from learning alongside veteran pitchers.

Lucas Giolito is expected to join Boston’s rotation in 2025, as he was meant to do last year before his UCL repair surgery. But after his lost year and his previous two rough seasons, the righty will need to focus on getting his career back on track. The Red Sox may need another veteran to bolster the rotation, and they’ve been linked to one.

Rob Bradford of WEEI reports that Boston has checked in with former fan favorite and 2018 World Series champion Nathan Eovaldi. The 34-year-old righty declined a player option that could’ve kept him with the Texas Rangers for another year to test the waters in free agency.

Red Sox are among a dozen teams linked to former fan favorite Nathan Eovaldi

Nathan Eovaldi drawing early interest after opting out of #Rangers dealhttps://t.co/OqPplp9r2V pic.twitter.com/sC0vU4cGdD

— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) November 6, 2024

Eovaldi posted a 3.80 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP, 166 strikeouts and 42 walks in 170.2 innings with Texas last season. Boston has been named as one of about a dozen teams to check in with the veteran, who’s been incredibly consistent on the mound throughout his 13-year career.

Eovaldi spent five years with the Red Sox from 2018-22, and he had a great reputation with fans since his tenure began on a great note. The righty posted a 3.33 ERA in 54 innings after Boston acquired him from the Rays, and he became a staple of the Sox’s postseason roster. He pitched six innings in relief in the Red Sox’s 18-inning World Series game against the Dodgers and, despite being the losing pitcher, Eovaldi’s performance has earned him hero status among Boston fans.

Eovaldi would be a solid late-rotation addition for the Red Sox. Their ultimate focus should be signing or trading for an ace, and once they do that, signing Eovaldi could be a perfect way to bring more experience — particularly postseason experience — back to the pitching staff.