Why Jose Abreu would be a good signing
Nathan Eovaldi is still a free agent.
According to a major league source, the pitcher has informed the Red Sox he has declined their qualifying offer which would have guaranteed Eovaldi a one-year deal worth $19.65 million.
Any team other than the Red Sox who now signs Eovaldi will be forced to surrender draft pick compensation.
The 32-year-old, who has already been offered a multi-year contract by the Red Sox, will continue to negotiate with the team, although no deal appears imminent.
Eovaldi finished 2022 with a 6-3 mark and 3.87 ERA over 20 starts, having struggled throughout much of the second half with a back ailment. He was pitching in the final year of a four-year, $69 million deal.
Predictably also declining the qualifying offer was Xander Bogaerts. Of the 14 players extended the QO, only two - Joc Pederson and Martin Perez - accepted the one-year guarantee.