Boston Red Sox: Sox acquire Nathan Eovaldi from Rays

Seeking more depth in their starting rotation, the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday acquired an arm to help fill out their rotation

A team with the payroll of the Boston Red Sox shouldn’t have the issue of filling out the starting rotation, but here we are a week away from the MLB trade deadline, and the Red Sox have seen 13 starts from guys outside of their opening day rotation.

The other major issue for that rotation as the season has gone along is that is predominantly coming from one side. Rick Porcello is the only starter who is right-handed, and even of the four pitchers who have made fill-in starts this season, two of them were left-handed as well. That’s what made an arm like Nathan Eovaldi enticing.

With a blazing fastball that can bump up against triple digits, Eovaldi has long been a pitcher that would grab the attention of scouts around the game who saw him pitch, but a lack of movement on that high-velocity stuff and difficulty staying healthy have led to Eovaldi never really fulfilling the promise contained in his arm.

The Tampa Bay Rays knew that Nathan Eovaldi would miss all of the 2017 season after having Tommy John surgery in 2016, which led to his release by the Yankees in November of 2016. The Rays structured a deal with Eovaldi that paid him equally while he rehabbed and for 2018 when he should be healthy.

Eovaldi made his first start on May 30th on the road against Oakland. He went 6 innings, allowing no hits and walking one, striking out 4 in 70 pitches. His season has been largely positive since. The same issues with giving up the long ball still remain (11 HR allowed in 57 innings), but his excellent control and premium velocity have led to a 53/8 K/BB rate over 57 innings this year with a 4.26 ERA and 0.98 WHIP.

The Boston Red Sox could use Eovaldi in their rotation with injuries seeming to follow at least one member of their rotation at all times this year. Having just gotten Drew Pomeranz back, now they have Eduardo Rodriguez on the shelf. Eovaldi would also transition well into the bullpen during the playoffs with his high-velocity stuff.

To bring in Eovaldi, the Boston Red Sox had to give up young lefty Jalen Beeks. Beeks was originally a 12th round pick out of the University of Arkansas by the Red Sox in 2014. He’s taken his ascent up the minors step by step until last season, when he really saw a big change in the upper minors, recording a 3.29 ERA over 145 innings between AA and AAA, with a 155/55 K/BB.

In 2018, Beeks has spent most of his time with AAA Pawtucket, where he’s shown very well, posting a 2.89 ERA over 87 1/3 innings with a 117/25 K/BB. He got hit hard in a short time in Boston, but he’s got talent and ability to do well in a return to the majors, very feasibly in the Rays rotation to close out the season.

Next: 5 possible Red Sox trade candidates

The Boston Red Sox are still on the lookout for more moves to improve their team, in spite of the best record in the league. While a move for a right-handed starter was one that seemed to be coming, their next move will be interesting to track!