MLB rumors: Yankees watch Red Sox’s Nathan Eovaldi’s price tag skyrocket

Boston Red Sox pitcjer Nathan Eovaldi is a free agent following the 2018 World Series, which Boston won on Sunday, October 28, 2018 (10/28/18), with a 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. If Yankees general manager Brian Cashman wants to bring Eovaldi back to the Bronx, he will face a big price tag for the right-hander.

As MLB free agency approaches on Saturday, sluggers Manny Machado and Bryce Harper will dominate the headlines.

But as far as the Yankees are concerned, starting pitching should be No. 1 on general manager Brian Cashman’s wish list.

That would mean taking a look at former Yankee and current Boston Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi, who just finished an incredible playoff run for the World Series champions.

He made six appearances in the playoffs, including four out of the bullpen. None of his trips to the mound was more impressive than his heroic relief effort in Game 3 of the World Series, which lasted a record-setting 18 innings.

Eovaldi appeared in three of the five World Series games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving up just one run in eight innings of work. He finished the 2018 playoffs with 2-1 record and 1.61 ERA. Eovaldi regularly hit 99 on the radar gun, proving he is completely recovered from Tommy John surgery he had in 2016 while with the Yankees.

Blueprint for Yankees offseason

If the Yankees want him back in 2019, they will have to open their wallet, according to the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo:

I had speculated recently that Eovaldi would be looking at an Alex Cobb-type deal of four years and $57 million. But he’ll shatter that now.

Eovaldi is only 28 and has had two Tommy John procedures, which is both problematic and reassuring at the same time. His elbow is obviously sound. His shoulder appears bionic. Eovaldi was still throwing 99 in the final inning of his six-inning relief stint in Game 3.

With (Chris) Sale’s shoulder issues creating some uncertainty in the rotation, Eovaldi now appears to be someone the Sox must re-sign. He is battle-tested in a tough market — actually two tough markets, as he also pitched for the Yankees, who may also be in pursuit.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.