Despite Braves fans hopes, Nathan Eovaldi isn’t going anywhere. That’s right, the veteran right-hander is sticking with the Texas Rangers for a third season, and this time, he’s locking down a solid payday. We’re talking a three-year, $75 million contract, according to the reliable Robert Murray from FanSided and Jeff Passan of ESPN. And let’s be honest, after his clutch performance in the Rangers’ 2023 World Series victory, that contract seems well-earned.
Eovaldi could’ve stayed with Texas through 2025 under a $20 million vesting option, but he declined that. And it’s not like the man didn’t have choices. There were whispers of interest from the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, and Baltimore Orioles. But Texas wasn’t ready to let go. Chris Young, the Rangers’ president of baseball operations, was clear about wanting to keep Eovaldi around, and they did what needed to be done — gave him that raise and kept him right there in Arlington.
Let’s take a second to appreciate what Nathan Eovaldi brings to the table. In 2024, he made 29 starts, finishing 12-8 with a 3.80 ERA. The Rangers had a rocky year, missing the postseason with a 78-84 record, but Eovaldi’s consistency is undeniable. Who could forget his huge role in clinching that 2023 World Series title? Game 5 against the Diamondbacks? Six scoreless innings, no earned runs, and a performance that sealed a 5-0 win. That’s the kind of clutch pitching you don’t let slip away.
This move is strategic, too. The Rangers are staring down some potential free agency departures — Andrew Heaney, their 31-start guy in 2024, could be gone, and then there’s Max Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young winner, whose future is a bit murky. The bullpen’s also looking shaky, and David Robertson and Kirby Yates are exploring free agency. Bringing Eovaldi back? That’s some much-needed stability.
He’s set to join a rotation featuring Jacob deGrom, Cody Bradford, Jon Gray, and Tayler Mahle. And oh boy, if deGrom and Mahle come back strong after their elbow surgeries, this rotation could be cooking. DeGrom, after all, is locked in until 2027, with a club option for 2028. If everything clicks, this Rangers team might aim for another postseason run.
Eovaldi’s track record over two years in Texas is solid — 314 2/3 innings, a 24-13 record, and a respectable 3.72 ERA in 54 appearances. And let’s not forget the man’s got experience. He’s appeared in 13 MLB seasons, bouncing from the Dodgers to the Marlins, Yankees, Rays, and Red Sox, where he snagged another ring in 2018.
So, while the Rangers may be facing some big questions this offseason, securing Nathan Eovaldi answers one of them with a big, confident yes. Texas fans can breathe a little easier knowing their World Series hero is back in the saddle, ready to lead the charge for 2025. This is a bit of a gut punch for Braves fans though, as he would have been a great replacement for Max Fried who just signed a megadeal with the Yankees.
