Yankees Eyeing Reunion with $72M Breakout Star After Garrett Crochet Whiff
The New York Yankees have always been a team that does not hesitate to make bold moves, and with the 2024 MLB season rapidly approaching, they are once again in the headlines. The Yankees’ front office, led by general manager Brian Cashman, is determined to bolster the roster for another postseason run, especially after falling short in 2023.
While much of the offseason focus has been on improving the starting rotation and the bullpen, the latest rumors suggest that the Yankees are setting their sights on a player who has previously been a part of their roster: a $72 million breakout star.
The player in question is none other than Nathan Eovaldi, the former Yankees pitcher who left the team for the Texas Rangers on a four-year, $72 million contract in 2023. After a highly successful 2023 season, in which Eovaldi led the Rangers to a World Series title, the Yankees are reportedly looking to bring the 33-year-old back to New York to strengthen their rotation for a potential World Series push in 2024. The news comes on the heels of the Yankees’ failed pursuit of left-handed reliever Garrett Crochet, a high-ceiling but injury-prone talent, signaling that New York’s efforts to improve its pitching staff are ongoing.
This article will explore why Nathan Eovaldi’s potential reunion with the Yankees makes sense, how his performance in 2023 changed his market value, and what it would mean for the team’s 2024 rotation. We’ll also examine how the Yankees’ pursuit of Eovaldi fits into their larger offseason strategy and what it tells us about their championship aspirations.
The Rise and Fall of Nathan Eovaldi with the Yankees
Nathan Eovaldi’s journey with the New York Yankees was full of ups and downs. After being acquired by the Yankees in 2015 in a trade with the Miami Marlins, Eovaldi showed flashes of brilliance, but his tenure was marred by inconsistency and injuries. The right-hander, known for his electric fastball and high-velocity stuff, often struggled with command and was prone to allowing big innings. Despite these struggles, he became a fan favorite for his power arm and his competitive spirit.
In 2016, Eovaldi was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his elbow, which ultimately led to Tommy John surgery. This surgery forced him to miss the entire 2017 season, but Eovaldi returned in 2018 with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he began to show glimpses of his potential. His time in Tampa was highlighted by a dominant postseason performance, where he became a key piece of the Rays’ pitching staff. That success led to a lucrative deal with the Boston Red Sox in 2018, and Eovaldi found a new level of consistency in Boston, helping the Red Sox to win the 2018 World Series.
After a brief stint in Boston, Eovaldi was signed by the Texas Rangers in 2023, where he would go on to have the best season of his career. But his time with the Yankees, despite being turbulent, set the foundation for his development into a more reliable pitcher.
Eovaldi’s Breakout 2023 Season with the Texas Rangers
Nathan Eovaldi’s 2023 season with the Texas Rangers was nothing short of spectacular. After signing a four-year, $72 million deal with the Rangers, Eovaldi quickly proved that he was worth every penny. In 2023, he posted an impressive 3.04 ERA across 190 innings, with a career-high 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings. His fastball, once considered his main weapon, was still his calling card, but he had also developed a devastating slider and improved his control.
What set Eovaldi apart in 2023 was his ability to thrive in high-leverage situations. During the postseason, he was nothing short of heroic, delivering clutch performances in the ALDS and ALCS before helping lead the Rangers to their first World Series title in franchise history. His performance in the World Series was a key reason the Rangers triumphed, and his veteran leadership in the rotation helped stabilize a pitching staff that was occasionally inconsistent throughout the regular season.
Eovaldi’s breakout year in 2023 did more than just secure a World Series ring for the Rangers—it also raised his stock as one of the top starting pitchers in baseball. The Yankees, who had previously been critical of their rotation’s depth, are reportedly keeping a close eye on the pitcher’s situation, especially now that Eovaldi’s market value has skyrocketed.
Why the Yankees Want Nathan Eovaldi Back
The Yankees’ interest in Nathan Eovaldi stems from several factors that align perfectly with their needs heading into the 2024 season. Let’s break down why bringing Eovaldi back to New York makes sense.
1. Stability and Veteran Leadership
One of the Yankees’ most significant struggles in recent years has been the lack of stability in their starting rotation. Gerrit Cole has been a consistent ace, but the rest of the rotation has been prone to injury and inconsistency. The Yankees’ top rotation arms, such as Luis Severino and Carlos Rodón, have had their fair share of injury concerns, and the team is still waiting for the emergence of a reliable No. 2 behind Cole.
Eovaldi brings stability to the rotation, something that the Yankees desperately need. He is a proven workhorse who can take the ball every fifth day and provide consistent innings. His leadership and experience in big games would also be invaluable for a Yankees team with championship aspirations. The Yankees’ young pitchers could benefit from Eovaldi’s mentorship, and his calm demeanor in the postseason could provide the type of mental toughness needed to thrive under pressure.
2. A Reliable High-Energy Arm
Eovaldi’s stuff has always been top-tier, with a fastball that routinely reaches 98 mph and a devastating slider that he has developed into a strikeout pitch. In 2023, his strikeout rate jumped to 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings, an indication that he is becoming a more complete pitcher. His ability to generate swing-and-miss stuff, combined with his exceptional fastball, makes him a perfect fit for a Yankees rotation that leans heavily on power pitching.
While Eovaldi is not a traditional ace in the mold of Gerrit Cole, he has proven to be effective in high-stress situations and has the ability to dominate opposing lineups. His high velocity allows him to miss bats, and his increased reliance on his slider has made him more of a complete pitcher, capable of adapting to different batters and situations.
3. Familiarity with the Yankees’ System
Eovaldi’s previous stint with the Yankees means that he is familiar with the team’s culture and expectations. Having spent several seasons in New York, he knows the pressure that comes with playing for such a storied franchise. His familiarity with the Bronx, the Yankees’ organization, and the media attention that surrounds the team would allow him to seamlessly integrate back into the rotation without the adjustment period that many free agents face when joining a new club.
Additionally, the Yankees’ coaching staff, including pitching coach Matt Blake, has been highly successful in helping pitchers reach their full potential, and Eovaldi’s experience working with Blake during his previous tenure with the team could make for a smooth transition back into the Bronx.
4. A Proven Postseason Performer
The Yankees’ ultimate goal is to win a World Series, and Eovaldi has demonstrated time and time again that he can deliver in the postseason. His 2023 postseason performance with the Rangers, which saw him post a 3.38 ERA and deliver clutch starts, proved that he is built for October. His ability to thrive in big moments is something the Yankees could use in their rotation, particularly when they know they will face tough competition in the American League, from teams like the Houston Astros and the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Yankees’ starting rotation, despite having ace Gerrit Cole, has lacked the type of postseason consistency that other top teams have enjoyed. Eovaldi, with his proven postseason pedigree, could provide the Yankees with a dependable No. 2 starter who can go toe-to-toe with any pitcher in the American League when it matters most.
What Eovaldi’s Return Means for the Yankees’ Rotation
If the Yankees manage to secure Nathan Eovaldi’s return, it would significantly improve their starting rotation and give them a formidable top three with Gerrit Cole, Eovaldi, and Carlos Rodón. While Rodón had a disappointing 2023 season by his standards, the Yankees remain confident in his ability to bounce back, and having Eovaldi in the fold would provide the kind of stability and depth the rotation desperately needs.
In addition to the trio of Cole, Eovaldi, and Rodón, the Yankees would still have Luis Severino, whose future with the team remains uncertain. Severino’s injury concerns and inconsistency have raised doubts about his long-term role, but he remains a potential asset in the rotation if he can stay healthy. The Yankees may also look to add depth pieces, such as Clarke Schmidt or Jhony Brito, who showed promise in 2023.
With a rotation anchored by Cole and bolstered by Eovaldi’s veteran presence, the Yankees would be well-positioned to compete for a championship in 2024. The team would have the depth, experience, and high-quality arms needed to take on any team in the postseason.
The Yankees’ Larger Offseason Strategy
The Yankees’ pursuit of Eovaldi after missing out on Garrett Crochet is indicative of their larger offseason strategy. While many fans were hoping for the team to make a splash in free agency by adding a star position player or a top-tier pitcher, the Yankees are instead focused on making smart, calculated investments.
