While the contract situations of Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts have continued to dominate the news cycle over the past few weeks, another key Red Sox player has also failed to get any sort of resolution regarding his future.
According to a source, the Red Sox haven't engaged in any contract conversations with Nathan Eovaldi or his representatives. Eovaldi will be eligible for free agency after the 2022 season.
While there haven't been discussions to this point, there is an expectation that the Red Sox and Eovaldi's agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, could very well engage in talks after the 2022 campaign. It is Eovaldi's desire to not discuss his contract during the season.
(It should be noted the Red Sox and the Levinsons have had a productive history of getting deals done, going back to Kevin Millar, Mike Lowell and Dustin Pedroia.)
Eovaldi would currently be considered one of the top starting pitchers on the free agent market if the opportunity presents itself, with Sean Manaea and Noah Syndergaard and Mike Clevinger also eligible for free agency after the 2022 season.
The 32-year-old Eovaldi - who is in the final year of a four-year, $68 million deal - has established himself as the Red Sox' ace, and a premier postseason performer. In 2021, he 11-9 with 3.75 ERA, with the Red Sox going 19-13 in his starts. In six playoff starts, Eovaldi has gone 4-1 with a 2.73 ERA.
Moving on from the righty would leave the Sox with a starting rotation that included Chris Sale, Nick Pivetta, Tanner Houck and James Paxton, all of whom are under contract for 2023. Top prospect Brayan Bello, who is currently in Double-A, could also be in the mix.
Along with Eovaldi and Bogaerts (who has an opt-out in his current deal), other Red Sox who could hit the free agent market after this season include Kiké Hernandez, J.D. Martinez and Christian Vazquez.