The Boston Red Sox made a huge splash in the trade deadline after acquiring right-hander Nathan Eovaldi from the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.
The Red Sox sent Minor League starter Jalen Beeks to the Rays for Eovaldi. The 28-year-old Eovaldi is set to assume the role left by rotation members Eduardo Rodriguez and Steven Wright, who are still on the disabled list and not expected to be back soon.
"We'll see where we are at. We are a long ways, but, if necessary, I think he can do that. But he's been a good starter. We'll keep him there for now," manager Alex Cora said.
Eovaldi has been playing efficiently for the Rays this season as the new Red Sox member tallied 4.26 ERA to go along with a 6.63 strikeout-to-walk rate. In addition, Eovaldi has a quality start rate of 50 percent in 10 starts and a .982 WHIP this year.
Good Trade For The Red Sox
Eovaldi, who missed all of last year after undergoing a Tommy John surgery, returned to action this year and put up an impressive six no-hit innings against the Oakland Athletics last May 30. It was also his first game in the league since August 2016.
His best year came in the 2015 season wherein Eovaldi posted a 4.20 ERA for a 14-3 record for the New York Yankees. Eovaldi was also impressive in 2013, when he tallied 3.39 for a 4-6 slate with the Miami Marlins.
The former Yankee is among the most highly touted players in the league with a fastball in the upper 90s. Prior to the trade, Eovaldi was slated to pitch against the Yankees on Wednesday.
The Rays inked Eovaldi last year to a one-year deal worth around $2 million, which included a club option for this season at the same base salary. Eovaldi was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2008 MLB Draft before being traded to the Marlins in 2012.
Rays Add Young Talent
The 25-year-old Beeks, who was the Red Sox's 15th best prospect, had an average of 2.89 ERA in his 16 starts at Triple A-Pawtucket. The Red Sox's 12th-round pick had struggles of being called up to the majors this season after recording just 12.79 ERA in just 6.1 innings pitched.
Beeks is coming off a stellar year wherein he was named as Boston's Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2017. In his big-league debut earlier this season, Beeks recorded 11 hits on top of nine runs in 6 1/3 innings.
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