MLB trade rumors: Why Rays’ Nathan Eovaldi to Yankees could make sense

The Tampa Bay Rays have several pitchers they could move before the July 31, 2018 (7/31/18) non-waiver trade deadline: Blake Snell, Chris Archer and Nathan Eovaldi. One scout says Eovaldi, the former Yankee, could be the best arm on the trade market, and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is shopping for a starter.

Without a doubt, the biggest name on the trade market this week is Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado. Several contenders, including the Yankees and Red Sox, have expressed some level of interest in the four-time American League All-Star.

But at the end of the day, this game is all about pitching, and most teams simply don’t have enough.

That includes the Yankees, with general manager Brian Cashman shopping for someone to boost his starting rotation.

The names that are out there are less than overwhelming: Toronto Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ, Texas Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels, Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer and Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Chris Archer.

But there a new name making the rounds, and it’s a familiar one for the Yankees: Rays right-hander Nathan Eovaldi.

In fact, the Yankees scouted Eovaldi’s last start, when the righty flirted with a perfect game Sunday against the Mets.

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick talked to a scout who said Eovaldi might be the best available arm:

“He’s throwing as good as any pitcher who’s available on the market, and he’s making less than all of them,” a scout said. “So there’s value there.

“It’s a difficult delivery. He’s incredibly strong. The guy is a workout warrior. When you see him physically, you’re like, ‘Geez, this is a different animal.’ But the delivery is not ideal. You’re buying him for 2 1/2 months, and if he does great, maybe he can get a contract with somebody. But I think you have to go into it with the idea that he can break at any time.”

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Eovaldi pitched seven innings Sunday, giving up just one hit (a Brandon Nimmo single in the seventh) and striking out nine. He picked up the win in the 9-0 victory over the Mets. Eovaldi improved to 3-3 this season with a 3.35 ERA in eight starts. And how about this: he’s 2-1 in his last three starts with 0.95 ERA.

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.