MLB trade rumors: Red Sox respond to Yankees, add starting pitcher

by Felix Pantaleón

The Boston Red Sox acquired right-hander Nathan Eovaldi from the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 (7/25/18). The move comes less than 12 hours after Yankees general manager Brian Cashman picked up relieve Zach Britton from the Baltimore Orioles.

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Nathan Eovaldi was scheduled to start for the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday against the New York Yankees.

That won’t happen, because Eovaldi has been traded to the Boston Red Sox.

OFFICIAL TRADE: #RedSox acquire Nathan Eovaldi from #Rays for LHP Jalen Beeks. @MLB @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 25, 2018

The move by Boston comes less than 12 hours after the Yankees picked up reliever Zach Britton from the Baltimore Orioles.

The Red Sox had also been in the running for Britton, but when Brian Cashman swooped in to pick up the lefty reliever, Boston pivoted toward a starting pitcher.

The Red Sox need help in the rotation, with Eduardo Rodriguez and Steven Wright on the disabled list, and Drew Pomeranz just returning from a DL stint on Tuesday.

Yankees’ lights-out bullpen

The pair of trades made during the last 12 hours once again reminds everyone that the American League East is a two-team race, with both the Red Sox and Yankees on pace to win 100 games.

The Yankees will take the field Wednesday in St. Petersburg five games behind Boston, which has the best record in the majors (71-32).

Eovaldi was one of the better starting pitchers on the trade market.

He’s 3-4 with a 4.26 ERA in 10 starts this season.

Last Friday against the Marlins, Eovaldi got a no-decision against the Marlins despite giving up just one run in six innings of work.

Eovaldi has given up two runs or less in four of his last five starts.

The Yankees released Eovaldi in November of 2016 following his second Tommy John surgery. He wanted to return to New York, but the interest was not mutual and he instead took a one-year, $2-million contract from the Rays, with a second-year $2-million option.

Eovladi pitched two seasons with the Yankees, going 23-11 with a 4.45 ERA. The team had acquired him from the Marlins in a five-player deal before the 2015 season.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.