Nathan Eovaldi started for the Red Sox on Opening Day each year from 2020-22, pitching a combined 16 1/3 innings with a 2.76 ERA. Today, the Red Sox will face their former no. 1 starter on Opening Day, sending their new ace, Garrett Crochet, to the bump against Eovaldi and the Rangers.
Facing Eovaldi is never an enviable task – the right-hander has a winning record and an ERA under 4.00 in each of the past five seasons – but the Red Sox, in particular, probably aren’t thrilled to be meeting up with their old friend this afternoon. After all, they made an effort to re-acquire him this past offseason, and as it turns out, they were the runner-up for his services. According to Rob Bradford of WEEI, six teams showed legitimate interest in signing Eovaldi this winter, but the veteran’s decision ultimately came down to Texas or Boston. However, it’s not known how much money the Red Sox were willing to offer or if their final bid came close to the three-year, $75MM guarantee he landed with the Rangers.
Interestingly, Boston’s trade for Crochet came together less than 24 hours after Eovaldi signed with Texas. That’s not to say the Red Sox wouldn’t have pursued Crochet if they landed Eovaldi, but it’s a possibility worth considering. If that’s true, one could argue that missing out on Eovaldi was the best possible outcome for Craig Breslow and company. Eovaldi is a great pitcher, but Crochet is coming off an All-Star season and already looks like a strong early contender for the AL Cy Young.
Of course, the Red Sox would have been even better off with both Crochet and Eovaldi atop their rotation, especially now that so many of their other starters are on the IL, namely Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford. And while the Red Sox surely have high hopes for the free agents starters they added this offseason – Walker Buehler and Patrick Sandoval – Eovaldi would have been a far less risky signing.
In other Red Sox news, catcher Seby Zavala has accepted his outright assignment and will begin the season with the Triple-A WooSox, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive. The 31-year-old was informed last week that he would not be making the Opening Day roster. While the minor league deal he signed with Boston in November included an assignment clause that allowed him to seek out an opportunity on another team’s 40-man roster, it appears he was not able to find such an opportunity and has instead reported to Triple-A. A veteran of five big league seasons, Zavala is a plus defender with 183 games of MLB catching experience. He will offer the Red Sox depth behind starting catcher Connor Wong, backup Carlos Narvaez, and Blake Sabol, who has a spot on the 40-man roster but will start the season at Triple-A.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox have released Grant Gambrell, a minor league right-handed starter (h/t to Christopher Smith of MassLive). Gambrell was one of five players Boston received in 2021 as part of the three-team trade that sent Andrew Benintendi to the Royals. The Red Sox initially acquired outfielder Franchy Cordero from Kansas City and right-hander Josh Winckowski from the Mets, while Gambrell was one of three players to be named later, along with fellow righty Luis De La Rosa and outfielder Freddy Valdez. As Smith points out, Winckowski is now the only player from that trade who is still playing in the Red Sox organization. Gambrell had pitched relatively well in Boston’s system over the past two years, putting up a 3.81 ERA and 4.29 FIP in 41 games (39 starts). However, he was never a top prospect, and now 27 years old, the Red Sox have evidently decided he does not fit into their future plans.
Gambrell is a RHP
Weird to release Gambrell. At worst he can take down some innings at AAA.
There’s no way they’re releasing Gambrell for anything other than an opportunity somewhere else. His numbers have actually been quite decent in the high minors for the past two seasons.
The way Winck has been pitching, there could soon be nobody left from the 10D trade.
And the Sox could use his 40-man roster spot.
I’d say Buehler was more likely the plan B for the Red Sox after losing out on Eovaldi.
Sabe – I agree. They were looking for two SP’s and as good as Nate is, he’s not an ace on the same level as Snell/Burnes/Fried/Crochet.
Plus why wouldn’t they have still traded for Crochet? He’s getting paid only $4M, it’s not like he got a huge contract.
Agree to both Saber and Fever, except I would argue Eovaldi with his playoff pedigree is an ace if not a superstar ace. Each of those mentioned have issues and if I got there, I’d be very happy in a game seven with Nate on the hill.
dewey – I wholeheartedly agree, in big games I’d want Nate.
It’s the regular season where he isn’t an elite ace, he hasn’t had a sub-3.60 ERA in 12 years.
Ballparks also factor into it but to me, his bulldog attitude in big games is what I want.
Eovaldi is not an ace. not by a long shot. Good number 3 sure.
Sox just put Hendricks on the 15 day IL with right shoulder inflammation. Feel bad for the guy.
There’s probably something there w Hendricks, but I honestly feel like they’re gaming the IL a little bit. Bello has been throwing at full speed and Gio hasn’t really been held back in workouts, but they’re both on the IL. That opens up roster spots for Fitts and Newcomb to kind of get live auditions in real games. All the while “saving” arms for later in the year.
They know it’s a marathon and additional arms will be needed. Sandoval will be a nice add in July when some other guys will need some rest. That’s when Buehler (for example) gets a slight turf toe issue and needs a couple weeks off.
I’m not announcing the discovery of canned beer or anything, but it’s a savvy way to play if you have good depth.
swan – Cora said he’s really concerned about Liam. I know Cora is a pathological liar, but in this instance he’s speaking the truth. They are not trying to stash him away and no chance Liam would go along with it anyway, especially with this being a contract year for him. The conspiracy theories are getting out of hand.
I think the Sox would’ve liked to have Nate back, but only at their price. Easy pass there.
After Fried and Snell flew off the board plus word got out how much Burnes was asking for, Boston were going to do whatever it took to get Crochet.
swan – Easy pass? So for only $21M more this year the Sox could have had Nate and still would have Teel, Monty, etc … but you wouldn’t want that?
Well alrighty then, hope you enjoyed today’s game in which Nate shined and Crochet looked unimpressive.
I most certainly wanted a 25yo stud w two years of cheap control over an aged starter on a contract that will be sunk in a year or two.
Prospects be damned man. They dealt from their strength and secured their opening day starter. Crochet is so cheap and they’ll have first run at an extension if he keeps developing as a #1.
Optimism would look good on you Fever. You should give it a go.
swan – One thing you’ll learn over time, there’s a lot more value that comes with proven performance than with just potential. Without proven talent like Manny, Pedro, Damon, Schilling, Foulke, etc there are no 2004 or 2007 flags. Ditto 2018 with Sale, Kimbrel, JD, Price ….. every one of those players were acquired after proving they were studs. Crochet is no stud, not yet anyway.
Optimism?
I repeatedly said the Sox could win the division.
I repeatedly said I’m bullish on Abreu, Duran, healthy Story, healthy Casas, Campbell, Mayer, Anthony, Fitts, Chapman, Houck, healthy Yoshida, healthy Devers to name a few.
That’s not enough for you? Or are you one of those that demands rose colored glasses are worn when viewing every Red Sox player?
Occasional skepticism would serve you well, it would legitimize your optimism of those who actually deserve it.
Swanhenge: “They dealt from their strength and secured their opening day starter.”
============
Agreed. Well said. Great post. The Red Sox farm system was still rated No. 1 by Baseball America and No. 3 by MLB Pipeline after they traded Teel and Montgomery for Crochet. They certainly did deal from a position of strength.
I get where you’re coming from FPG. Championship teams need stars and Crochet is still arriving at that level. I’m confident he’ll get there, rose colored glasses or not.
And it’s good to see you’re bullish on so many players. I never doubted your fandom of the Sox. Sometimes it appears you’re at the end of your rope, but I know most of your vitriol is towards management and the FO. And I agree with some of that, but this year seems different. It’s almost like they actually listened to the FPGs of the world and have invested in winning again. Which is great.
Carry on and enjoy the season.
Swan – Crochet absolutely has the talent, he just has to stay healthy.
And you enjoy the season as well, let’s hope it’s a special one like 2013.
Love Nate…. Hope he pitches well …. Hope the Red Sox get the ‘W’ more though!!!!
olm – You’re 2-0 already this year!!! Keep it up and I’ll be coming to you for Derby picks ;O)
Damn I cannot say enough how much I love Abreu ….. Gold Glove right fielder who can slam 35 homers easy this year.
It’s only one game, but nothing has changed from last year … the one they need to keep is Abreu, not Rafaela.
2-0…. Hurry put me on disable list with Yoshi… only come to us if needed!!! Seriously agree on Abreu… I get that we’re lefty heavy but the kid can rake… again my favorite saying… Most overrated word in dictionary… potential!!! Give me someone who’s doing it.. at least we have a sample of what he’s about… just saying..
Giolito, Crochet, Hendriks, Zavala. More players changing their Sox from white to red.
Crochet and Buehler are going to be the aces for the Red Sox and they are both going to light it up. Houck will find his form from last season when the weather warms up. Bello and Crawford are going to get healthy and I think both are real good options. The Red Sox have a real nice rotation. The big concern for the Red Sox should be Tristan Casas in the middle of that lineup, and whether or not they can get production out of Campbell, Mayer and Anthony, but I don’t think their starting pitching is a concern at all. Especially with Giolito, Fitts, Newcomb and Priester in tow.
They have to be excited about Wyler Abreu’s start, big game for him. That will take some pressure off of Casas. Red Sox look good to go in the East, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make a move for Dylan Cease or another starter. They have the prospects and the depth to get that trade done.
the same people that complain about the fragility of the Sox starters are the same ones pinning for them to sign Eovaldi even though he’ has been injury prone and thrown over 150 innings four times in his career.