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Astros Among Teams Pursuing Nathan Eovaldi

By Steve Adams | November 28, 2018 at 7:48pm CDT

The Astros are among the teams showing “continued interest” in righty Nathan Eovaldi, tweets MLB.com’s Jon Morosi. Eovaldi has already been connected to a slew of interested parties, including the Phillies, Yankees, Brewers, Braves, Angels, White Sox, Blue Jays, Giants and Padres.

The match between the two sides is obvious, and Houston’s interest was widely expected. The Astros lost Lance McCullers Jr. for the 2019 season due to Tommy John surgery and could also lose both Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton to free agency. Though the ’Stros have a number of rotation alternatives already in the organization — Collin McHugh, Brad Peacock and top prospect Forrest Whitley among them — there’s little doubt that president of baseball operations Jeff Luhnow and his staff will add some options from outside the organization. Eovaldi, a Houston-area native, is among the top starters in free agency.

At present, Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole are slated to front the Houston rotation in 2019, though both right-handers will be free agents next offseason. The proximity of those contracts’ endpoints only furthers the Astros’ needs to add some rotation help that can be controlled beyond the 2019 campaign.

Eovaldi, who won’t turn 29 until February, returned from his second Tommy John surgery in 2018 and turned in 111 innings of 3.81 ERA ball with 8.2 K/9 against 1.6 BB/9 in 22 appearances between the Rays and Red Sox. Eovaldi also thrived under the bright lights of the 2018 postseason, when he allowed four runs on 15 hits and three walks with 16 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings –good for a 1.61 ERA in the first playoff action of his career.

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Houston Astros Nathan Eovaldi

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59 Comments

  1. danebber

    7 years ago

    Mad Bum or bust for the ‘stros. Anything else is gravy

    1
    Reply
    • Astros44

      7 years ago

      It sounds great until 12 months from now when JV Cole Mad Bum and McHugh are all free agents

      10
      Reply
      • halfastros7

        7 years ago

        Yes! The last thing the Astros need is another starter on a one year deal. Use the prospects to get Goldy if they really want to get a rental.

        1
        Reply
  2. Josht

    7 years ago

    I guess the red sox are a given pursuing Eovaldi and that’s why they aren’t mentioned.

    5
    Reply
    • TeddyBallgameYazJimEd

      7 years ago

      It’s the first thing I noticed… but because he is a free agent.. he has no current team and the Red Sox should be included

      1
      Reply
    • jb19

      7 years ago

      Poor Red Sox fans ☹️

      3
      Reply
      • GaryWarriorsRedSoxx

        7 years ago

        Don’t worry about us.

        We’re still on a high considering the last day of the baseball season we were…. I don’t know….

        …the champions of Major League Baseball !!

        4
        Reply
        • jb19

          7 years ago

          Yea, but we found a couple of you upset that they weren’t mentioned in this MLBTR article… complaints never stop from you Northeasterners.

          6
          Reply
        • MetsYankeesRedSox

          7 years ago

          In the famous words of John Sterling….

          Ballgame over!
          Season over!
          Yankees suck.
          THEEEEEEEE Yankees suck!!!

          3
          Reply
        • deweybelongsinthehall

          7 years ago

          Like I said a few days ago, I was picturing Warner Wolf after game 3 of the playoff series with NY: “if you had the Yankees and 14.5 runs, YOU LOST! Let’s go to the videotape…”.

          Reply
        • Pedro Cerrano's Voodoo

          7 years ago

          I’m only seeing YOUR complaining here. Sox fans are quite content.

          4
          Reply
        • southpaw2153

          7 years ago

          The championship they bought with a bloated $240 million payroll.

          Reply
        • daved

          7 years ago

          So they know how it works to win and you’re complaining?

          1
          Reply
        • soxscelticspats

          7 years ago

          Oh, Now they bought The championship, That’s ok keep buying them.

          Reply
        • thefenwayfaithful 2

          7 years ago

          Mistakes were made. Much like the Yankees the first 15 years of this century, we dug ourselves a hole we had to (and will continue to have to for the next year or 2) spend our way out of or rebuild to reset the payroll.

          But you have to respect teams that will do what it takes to win and have a fanbase rabid enough to still have the team make a significant profit. I think ownership groups that are willing to go over the top are only willing to do so because they know they will make the money back.

          If you’re in Tampa Bay, where most of the residents have roots from NY, Boston, Chicago, etc. it’s going to be hard/impossible to dig yourself out. If you’re in Oakland with a broken down stadium that’s not conducive to the audience you’re looking for, you’re not going to dig yourself out.

          Fans of the Yanks, Sox, Dodgers and even some others like the Cubs, Angels, etc., all know we are at a significant advantage from a payroll standpoint over some of these guys. We all have ownership groups willing to go out and do what it takes to give their team a shot. The Angels can afford to hopelessly hang on to Trout. The Royals, A’s, Rays, and many others wouldn’t have had that luxury. They would have had to shop him to try to stock their system for the next run. Fair? No. Baseball? Yes.

          2
          Reply
        • GaryWarriorsRedSoxx

          7 years ago

          The players are available to every team. The owner either wants to spend money or he doesn’t. The process is available to all.

          Reply
        • Josht

          7 years ago

          Wasn’t meant to be a you didn’t include us post. I wondered if possibly he forgot to put them in,assumed everyone knew sox were in because it was his previous team, or sox were exploring other options

          Reply
        • Mishimacool

          7 years ago

          I’ve been a Red Sox since 1955 (I know: “.Get off my front lawn! to use the hackneyed phrase). I have also been accused of masochism for being so loyal. My uncle was born in 1919 and my father in 1920. They never experienced a World Series win in their entire lives. Does that sound like we have been so entitled the last 100 years? Of course not.
          So I have certainly paid my dues in finally see those four flags flying. If you don’t appreciate the gist of my comments, that’s ok.. Just take your snark and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine.

          Reply
  3. bucketbrew35

    7 years ago

    I’m glad he’s healthy and got a ring. With that said I would avoid a long term contract with Nate like the plague.

    7
    Reply
    • Bubba 5

      7 years ago

      Agreed

      1
      Reply
    • bravesfan88

      7 years ago

      To me, it greatly depends on your def. of a “long-term” contract.

      When Eovaldi was with the Marlins, it was always pretty obvious he had the stuff to be a potential solid #2 to an excellent #3 on any contending team. He always reminded me of Scherzer, when he was in Arizona, with his raw stuff and potential. Basically, everyone knew he could be great, it was just when would he make the adjustments necessary to do so..

      I truly believe the time off for Eovaldi has allowed him to grow mentally as a pitcher, and the more he pitched last season, the better he got.

      I think he’s only going to continue getting better. Now, that he’s able to harness his nasty movement, he’s coming in with a gameplan to attack hitters, and now that he’s actually pitching instead of throwing, he’s going to be an excellent pick-up for whichever team that signs him.

      I think Eovaldi will be a safe bet to provide a team with surplus value for at least the next 3-4 seasons. However, I wouldn’t go beyond a 4th season, unless it’s a team option.

      5
      Reply
      • junkmale

        7 years ago

        lol a raw Scherzer. Yeah… this guy is gonna bust hard on his next contract, whatever it is.

        Reply
        • Jeff Zanghi

          7 years ago

          What would even remotely indicate that? Barring a major injury (which after having TJ twice is actually less likely – because the surgery and rehab is so intensive – also one was in HS) there’s no reason why a guy throwing 100MPH with solid off-speed pitches would “bust hard” on his next contract. Like that just doesn’t make sense unless you’re 100% trolling…

          4
          Reply
        • Charles Schwab

          7 years ago

          I would also…its going to be a lot of money.

          1
          Reply
        • junkmale

          7 years ago

          Because all of this love is coming from 22 playoff innings. He has ranged from average to decent his entire career. He wasnt even great last year until October last year. He might be a dominant reliever but he has shown no ability to put together a complete season as a starter. The Yankees might not know how to hit him, but the rest of the league can.

          But he helped the best team in baseball by a mile win a WS so everyone adores him. Check back by the AS break when he has a high 4 era, a .265 BAA, a mediocre K/9, and all the hype has gone silent.

          Eovaldi isn’t a poor man’s Scherzer, he is just an average pitcher who was good in relief for a month. Good grief.

          2
          Reply
        • Kylesamac

          7 years ago

          The thing is, the advance metrics show that Evoldi has the same makeup as a Morton or Pressly. Guys the Astros picked up who were historically average that then turn in stand out talents.

          1
          Reply
        • mlb1225

          7 years ago

          Eovalid has never been great, but he’s always had the potential to be great. 100+ MPH fastball, great control, in his career, he’s not been HR prone, 3.82 FIP. There’s no reason not to believe that he won’t be a solid rotation arm for whatever team signs him.

          2
          Reply
  4. fasbal1

    7 years ago

    His velocity was back to normal this year and a signing by the Astros would mean his spin rate would increase 150%.

    9
    Reply
    • swanhenge

      7 years ago

      Lol…Well played.

      Reply
  5. ldfanatic

    7 years ago

    Josh James will be in the rotation before Whitley. I think JA Happ would be a good fit for Houston a 3-year deal.

    1
    Reply
    • astrosfan4life

      7 years ago

      One or two years, yes. Three years, HARD NO. Happ has been pretty good since leaving Houston, however I fear he’s due for some serious regression.

      3
      Reply
      • ldfanatic

        7 years ago

        Hes going to get three from someone, might as well be us. Even if it’s an option either a buyout.

        Reply
        • Kylesamac

          7 years ago

          I’m really not a fan of Happ at this point for the Astros. To me it’s the equivalent of plugging Peacock or McHugh back into the rotation at an a higher price.

          Nowhere near the upgrade to commit so much time to with Whitley knocking on the door.

          Reply
        • ldfanatic

          7 years ago

          Except he replaces Keuchel as the lefty and is much better than peacock. McHugh is better set for the pen. Rather have a dominant reliever than mediocre to above average starter.

          Reply
  6. elcarim_23

    7 years ago

    Whitley hasn’t thrown more than 93 innings in a season so even if he is used, it’s hard to not see him have a low innings limit on the season.

    5
    Reply
    • jb19

      7 years ago

      Solid point. He’s also had some injuries last year.

      Reply
  7. Darryl Rose

    7 years ago

    I think he would be awesome in Houston. And yet if he signed with the Yankees I would expect his elbow to blow out in spring training.

    1
    Reply
  8. Msteele

    7 years ago

    Return to Boston. If they let him walk they are stupid. He proved he deserves a contract with the BoSox. So pony up. There something to honoring a man’s go out and lay it all on the line.

    Price proved this too. All this is for not if a Reds or Yankees overpay the man. In the end he will take the money. With the tommy John history.

    1
    Reply
    • swanhenge

      7 years ago

      I would think they told him to at least come back w the best offer he’s rec’d and then see how things look. They owe him the chance to get wined and dined.

      I’ve said it around here before, but I’d love to have him close for BOS. That stuff at full blast in the 9th inning would be crazy awesome.

      Reply
      • Jeff Zanghi

        7 years ago

        I agree with you, it’s ironically almost “too bad” he was SOO good in the post season that there’s basically no chance of him accepting a role in the bullpen. Because I think he would be one of the best (like top 5 easily) Closers in baseball if he were to be in that role. I just don’t see him accepting that after the amazing audition he had as a “starter” (I know he also pitched in relief but basically as a starter) in the post-season

        1
        Reply
  9. coldbeer

    7 years ago

    I have a very hard time believing that the White Sox or Blue Jays are going to pony up for 4 or 5 years to land Eovaldi. They are not competing for 3+ years at least.

    1
    Reply
  10. xabial

    7 years ago

    They make vesting MLB min. team options for P like Eovaldi

    Felix has it in his, if he ever needs TJ, as did Lackey. (Lackey’s got exercised, Felix’s likely wont)

    Try protect yourself against 3rd TJ even if he threw 102 mph

    4
    Reply
  11. pasha2k

    7 years ago

    I hope DD goes after Nate, I know if he leaves like Kimble, Kelly, will prolly will. I wish Nate should look at how he blossomed in Boston, but the bottom line is money.

    Reply
  12. Bizzie

    7 years ago

    If the Astros get em, bauer got beef.

    Reply
  13. Fuck Me Bitch

    7 years ago

    Has baseball sunk to such a low that Eovaldi is the talk of the league? Crap.

    Reply
    • Erie4312

      7 years ago

      The talk of the league is a player who gets a hit 240 out of 1000 times and is getting a higher than 10 year deal for around 400 million
      Freeman is just as good as him if not better and he signed for 8yrs 135 mil

      Reply
      • johnrealtime

        7 years ago

        While I agree with the notion that Freddie is underpaid and Manny/Bryce are likely to be overpaid, I believe that Freddie signed that deal when he had 3-4 years left until free agency. You really can’t compare that kind of extension to a free agent contract

        3
        Reply
        • Erie4312

          7 years ago

          He could have waited on really got paid but insyead just took that contract

          Reply
        • johnrealtime

          7 years ago

          You’re right, he chose security over taking a risk while trying to maximize his payday. I’m not sure what your point is

          Reply
  14. of9376

    7 years ago

    He isn’t worth the money. He is a solid #3 that’s going to get paid like a #1.

    2
    Reply
  15. Nnnjjjjjhhjj

    7 years ago

    This will be entertaining-somebody will overpay for a guy who will be on the disabled list more often than not. He got hot for a few innings and teams act like he’s amazing. Good for him! I see him enjoying lots of nachos watching baseball!

    Reply
  16. Central Valley

    7 years ago

    Madison Bumgarner would be great in Houston. I could easily see him resigning there too. He could make all the difference in making and winning the World Series.

    Reply
  17. JayRyder

    7 years ago

    Is This Guy Really Worth That Much. ?!

    Reply
    • NotaGM

      7 years ago

      as a game changer ….yes

      Reply
  18. NotaGM

    7 years ago

    He was valuable for the Sox down the stretch amd playoffs.

    he has a lot of upside because of that. he’s not stupid for testing the market.

    if I was DD id offer a Lackey style contract. if he doesnt sign then thank you for the services.

    Reply
  19. Flapjax55

    7 years ago

    Surprised no one mentioned how a lot of his success is owed to the Boston pitching staff changing his approach by pitching up in the zone or that most of his post inning success came against right-handed lineups—albeit some the best three in the game. His regular season was up and down. First two starts we’re great then hit the skids for like the next four which if I recall may have been attributable to him getting used to pitching up in the zone.

    Reply
  20. Ejemp2006

    7 years ago

    Many runs of competitive baseball end with a really bad signing. Eovaldi to the Astros, I predict, would mark the end of this Houston perennial playoff baseball era. Injury prone guy riding high on a small sample size of post season numbers. This isn’t a pitcher who somehow figured out how to put smart hitters. He relied on an unsustainable grip it and rip it style to produce those post season numbers. Please Stay away Astros.

    Reply
  21. Nats Town

    7 years ago

    This contract is gonna burn some poor team for 4 years

    Reply
  22. HouthonAthroths

    7 years ago

    I dunno. Pretty gay offer imo

    Reply

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