Free-agent right-handed starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi is returning to the Rangers on a three-year, $75 million, according to ESPN.
Eovaldi, 34, is coming off a very fruitful two-year deal with the Texas Rangers that included 24 wins, nearly 300 strikeouts, a trip to the All-Star Game and a World Series championship. In 2024, Eovaldi made 29 starts, going 12-8 with a 3.80 ERA (104 ERA+), 1.11 WHIP and 166 strikeouts against 42 walks in 170 ⅔ innings. It was worth 2.2 WAR, per Baseball Reference.
That said, Eovaldi also comes with an extensive injury history. In his 13 seasons, he’s only made 30 starts twice and there have been major maladies mixed in there, including two Tommy John surgeries and multiple shoulder injuries.
The risk there is balanced with Eovaldi’s upside and championship pedigree. He’ll go through spurts of pitching like an ace. In the first half last season, he had a 2.97 ERA and through 19 starts in 2023, before injury, he had a 2.69 ERA in 123 ⅔ innings. He’s also 9-3 with a 3.05 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 82 strikeouts in 79 ⅔ career postseason innings. He’s had several clutch performances, too, and carries a career 2.89 ERA in the World Series (18 ⅔ innings).
Eovaldi was not extended a qualifying offer and, thus, is not attached to any draft-pick compensation.
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