The World Series hero, Nathan Eovoldi, has reportedly agreed to a 4-year deal worth $67.5 million with the Boston Red Sox.
The 28-year-old flamethrower saw his value skyrocket after his postseason performance as a starter and reliever.
Eovoldi started the season late due to his Tommy John surgery he had in 2016 which caused him to miss the entire 2017 season.
In the 2018 regular season, Eovoldi posted a 3.81 ERA in 111 IP with a 6-7 record, 101 K, 3.60 FIP, 1.13 WHIP, and an 8.2 K/9. However, he was more effective after being dealt to the Red Sox from the Tampa Bay Rays at the deadline. In Boston, he posted a 3.33 ERA with 48 K, 2.88 FIP, 1.28 WHIP, 8.0 K/9. He was good, not great but postseason heroics go a long way.
For the postseason, he appeared in 6 games and started 2 of them picking up a 2-1 record. He posted a 1.61 ERA in 22.1 IP.
His most notable outing actually came in the Game 3 loss of the World Series. Eovoldi came out of the pen in the 12th inning and tossed 97 pitches into the 18th inning. He really emptied the tank and it inspired his teammates and manager Alex Cora.
“One of the best performances in the history of the World Series,” Cora said. “What Nate did, that was amazing.”
This move was risky but one that had to be made by the Red Sox. Eovoldi has had two elbow surgeries and his style of pitching puts a lot of stress on his arm. But after the top available starter, Patrick Corbin, signed with the Nationals, teams were going to pivot towards Eovoldi. The Red Sox had to act fast if they were going to retain him and that is exactly what they did.
Featured Image via Wikimedia
