Major League Baseball hot stove: Nathan Eovaldi signs 4-year deal with Red Sox

It's not hard to find reason for caution with Nathan Eovaldi's new contract with the Boston Red Sox.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Nathan Eovaldi has signed a new deal with the MLB World Series champions. The terms of the contract have not been released, but the deal is reportedly in the ballpark of four-years, $68 million, according to Fancred's Jon Heyman.

Eovaldi, 29 in February, has also been tied to the Astros and Yankees in recent days, returned from Tommy John surgery in 2018 and delivered 111 regular-season innings of 3.81 ERA ball with 8.2 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9. He finished 2-1 with a 1.61 ERA, with his one loss coming in an extra-inning affair in Game 3 of the World Series. He made four starts against the Yankees, going 2-0 with a 0.39 ERA, and beat NY in Game 3 of the AL Division Series, when he gave up one run in seven innings.

While he did have a stretch in which he was inconsistent, it was his performance in the big games, particularly against the Yankees, that makes this re-signing a big one for Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowksi. "His performance in the postseason was outstanding, both as a starting pitcher and as a reliever".

Nathan Eovaldi cemented himself among postseason greats in Boston Red Sox history following his stellar playoff run through the World Series victory. Following the trade, he went 2-0 against the Yankees with a 0.39 ERA in four starts against NY including his win in Game 3 of the ALDS. He pitched six innings of relief before giving up the decisive solo home run to the Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy in the 18th inning. He missed the final seven weeks of the 2016 season, the entire 2017 season, and the first two months of the 2018 season.