MLB trade rumors: Ex-Yankee Nathan Eovaldi to Red Sox or Phillies?

The MLB non-waiver trade deadline is July 31, 2018 (7/31/18). The Tampa Bay Rays could hold a fire sale, beginning with right-hander Chris Archer. But former Yankees pitcher Nathan Eovaldi could be moved as well, with the first-place Boston Red Sox in the mix.

The Tampa Bay Rays have a decision to make. At 43-43, they are in third place in the American League East, 15 games behind the first-place Boston Red Sox. They are also in fifth place in the AL Wild Card race, 11.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners for the second wild card.

Certainly no one would blame the Rays if they decide to hold a fire sale before the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline.

Perhaps their most valuable commodity is right-hander Chris Archer.

But there are grumblings another Tampa Bay righty could be on the move: former Yankees starter Nathan Eovaldi, per Bill Chastain of MLB.com.

Count Nathan Eovaldi on several teams’ wish list. The right-hander started for the Rays Monday night and pitched in front of scouts or representatives from the Cubs, Phillies, Red Sox and Braves. All are contending teams hoping to fill a void they’ve identified.

…

Eovaldi is in the second year of a two-year deal with the Rays. He missed the first year of the contract while rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery.

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The Yankees released Eovaldi in November of 2017. 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.

Eovaldi’s average fastball velocity of 97 mph was the second highest in the majors out of pitchers who threw at least 100 innings in 2016. Only the Mets‘ Noah Syndergaard (97.9 mph) threw harder on average.

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.

This year with the Rays, Eovaldi is 2-3 with a 3.92 ERA in seven starts.

(NJ Advance Media’s Brendan Kuty contributed to this report.)

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