Red Sox Rumors: Boston Eyeing Kimbrel's Replacement Via Trade, Eovaldi Drawing Interest Around MLB

The Boston Red Sox have some competition in trying to retain a few key pitchers from last season’s championship team. Closer Craig Kimbrel and starter Nathan Eovaldi are drawing plenty of interest in free agency.

Boston can bring Kimbrel back, but it’s going to cost them a lot of money. The reliever is looking for a big contract, possibly one that will top the five-year, $86 million deal the New York Yankees gave to Aroldis Chapman two offseasons ago. The Philadelphia Phillies seemingly have no limit to the amount of money they are willing to spend this winter, and MLB.com’s Jon Morosi has reported that the team is interested in the closer.

Kimbrel, 30, made his seventh All-Star team in eight years with a 2.74 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP in 2018. He struggled in the first two rounds of the postseason, but after the Red Sox discovered the right-hander was tipping his pitches he gave up no runs in four of his five final outings.

The Red Sox could potentially let Kimbrel go and trade for his replacement. The New York Post’s Joel Sherman reported that Boston is interested in acquiring Seattle Mariners’ closer Edwin Diaz, though the New York Mets might have the best chance to land last season’s league-leader in saves.

Eovaldi, 28, made himself a ton of money after being traded to the Red Sox in July. After missing all of 2017 and the first two months of the 2018 season because of Tommy John Surgery, the right-hander posted a 3.33 ERA in 54 regular-season innings with Boston. Eovaldi was one of the most effective pitchers in the entire postseason, posting a 1.61 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP in 22.1 playoff innings.

The Phillies, Los Angeles Angels and Houston Astros have all reportedly shown interest in Eovaldi, according to Morosi.

J.D. Martinez was Boston’s big acquisition last season, agreeing to a five-year, $110 million contract with the Red Sox. He hit 43 home runs and an MLB-high 130 RBI en route to leading Boston to their fourth World Series title in 14 years.