Nathan Eovaldi was a right-handed pitcher who played for the New York Yankees for two seasons from 2015 to 2016. During his time with the Yankees, Eovaldi showed great promise on the mound and became a fan favorite due to his impressive fastball and pitching style.
However, Eovaldi’s career with the Yankees was cut short after he underwent his second Tommy John surgery, which made him an expensive risk for the team to keep on the roster.
Consequently, the Yankees made the difficult decision to release him in November 2016 in order to free up payroll space and allocate resources towards other areas of need.
We will take a closer look at how Nathan Eovaldi left the Yankees, including the circumstances that led to his release and his subsequent signing with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Nathan Eovaldi’s Career With the Yankees
Eovaldi’s Signing With the Yankees
Nathan Eovaldi was acquired by the New York Yankees in December 2014 through a trade with the Miami Marlins. The Yankees sent pitcher David Phelps and infielder Martin Prado to the Marlins in exchange for Eovaldi and minor league pitcher Domingo German.
At the time, Eovaldi was seen as a promising young pitcher who could help bolster the Yankees’ starting rotation.
Eovaldi’s Performance During His First Season With the Team
Eovaldi had a solid debut season with the Yankees in 2015. He finished the season with a record of 14-3 and an ERA of 4.20. He was also among the league leaders in innings pitched, strikeouts, and fewest walks per nine innings. His impressive fastball velocity, which often exceeded 97 mph, earned him the nickname “Nasty Nate” among Yankees fans.
Eovaldi’s Injury and Subsequent Surgery During His Second Season With the Yankees
Eovaldi’s second season with the Yankees was cut short due to injury. In August 2016, he was placed on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation.
It was later revealed that he had a partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and would require Tommy John surgery, a procedure that involves replacing the damaged ligament in the elbow with a tendon from elsewhere in the body.
This was Eovaldi’s second Tommy John surgery, as he had previously undergone the procedure in high school.
Eovaldi’s Release From the Yankees
After undergoing his second Tommy John surgery, Eovaldi was no longer able to contribute to the Yankees in the short term. Furthermore, the cost and risks associated with his injury made him an expensive risk for the team to keep on the roster.
In November 2016, the Yankees made the difficult decision to release him in order to free up payroll space and allocate resources towards other areas of need. T
he move was widely criticized by some Yankees fans, who believed that Eovaldi still had much to offer the team once he had fully recovered from his surgery.
Why Eovaldi Had to Leave the Yankees
The Cost and Risks Associated With Eovaldi’s Injury and Surgery
Eovaldi’s second Tommy John surgery meant that he would be unable to pitch for the Yankees in the short term. Additionally, the cost of his surgery and rehabilitation, as well as the risks associated with the procedure, made him an expensive risk for the team to keep on the roster.
Given that he was set to become a free agent after the 2017 season, the Yankees decided to part ways with him in order to allocate their resources towards other areas of need.
The Yankees’ Need to Allocate Resources Towards Other Areas of Need
During the 2016 offseason, the Yankees had several areas of need that required investment, including their starting rotation, bullpen, and offense.
With Eovaldi’s injury and uncertain future, the team decided that it was more prudent to allocate their resources towards other areas of need, rather than investing in a player who would not be able to contribute in the short term.
The Decision to Release Eovaldi in Order to Free Up Payroll Space
One of the main factors that influenced the Yankees’ decision to release Eovaldi was the need to free up payroll space. Eovaldi was set to earn $7.5 million in 2017, and the team needed to make strategic investments in order to remain competitive in the American League.
By releasing Eovaldi, the Yankees were able to free up payroll space and allocate those resources towards other areas of need, such as signing free agents and investing in their minor league system.
While the decision to release Eovaldi was a difficult one, it ultimately allowed the Yankees to remain competitive in the long term.
Eovaldi’s Departure From the Yankees and Signing With the Tampa Bay Rays
Eovaldi Becoming a Free Agent After Being Released by the Yankees
After being released by the Yankees in November 2016, Eovaldi became a free agent. Although he was recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, he remained a promising pitcher and several teams expressed interest in signing him.
Eovaldi’s Signing With the Tampa Bay Rays in February 2017
In February 2017, Eovaldi signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. The deal was for one year and included a club option for 2018.
The Rays saw potential in Eovaldi and believed that he could be a valuable addition to their starting rotation once he had fully recovered from his surgery.
Eovaldi’s Performance With the Rays and Subsequent Moves in His Career
Eovaldi made his debut with the Rays in May 2018, more than a year after signing with the team. He made a strong impression in his first few starts, with his fastball velocity reaching 100 mph and his slider proving to be an effective strikeout pitch.
He finished the season with a record of 3-4 and an ERA of 4.26, with 48 strikeouts in 57.0 innings pitched.
In December 2018, Eovaldi signed a four-year, $68 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. He had impressed the Red Sox during the 2018 postseason, where he had been a key player in their World Series championship run.
Despite struggling with injuries and inconsistency during his time with the Red Sox, Eovaldi remained a valuable pitcher and was instrumental in the team’s 2020 postseason run.
Overall, Eovaldi’s departure from the Yankees and subsequent moves in his career illustrate the complexities of roster management and player development in Major League Baseball.
While his injuries and surgeries made him a risk for the Yankees, he proved to be a valuable asset for other teams in the league.
His career trajectory serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of baseball and the importance of making strategic decisions based on available information.
Nathan Eovaldi’s Career Trajectory
| Year | Team | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | New York Yankees | Eovaldi signed with the Yankees and made 27 starts, finishing with a 14-3 record and 4.20 ERA. |
| 2016 | New York Yankees | Eovaldi suffered an elbow injury and underwent his second Tommy John surgery. |
| Nov. | New York Yankees | The Yankees released Eovaldi in order to free up payroll space and allocate resources elsewhere. |
| 2017 | Tampa Bay Rays | Eovaldi signed with the Rays in February 2017 and spent the season recovering from his surgery. |
| 2018 | Tampa Bay Rays | Eovaldi returned to the mound and made 10 starts for the Rays, finishing with a 3.81 ERA. |
| July | Boston Red Sox | The Red Sox acquired Eovaldi in a trade with the Rays, where he became a key player in their rotation. |
| 2019 | Boston Red Sox | Eovaldi signed a four-year, $68 million contract with the Red Sox. |
| 2020 | Boston Red Sox | Eovaldi struggled with injuries during the shortened season, making only nine starts. |
| 2021 | Boston Red Sox | Eovaldi bounced back in 2021, making 30 starts and finishing with a 3.75 ERA. |
This table provides a quick reference for the major events in Eovaldi’s career, including his signing with the Yankees, his injury and subsequent surgeries, his release from the team, and his subsequent moves to the Rays and Red Sox.
FAQs
What factors contributed to Eovaldi’s injury and subsequent surgeries?
Eovaldi’s injuries were likely the result of the high velocity and strain he placed on his pitching arm. As a power pitcher who regularly threw fastballs in the high 90s, Eovaldi put significant stress on his elbow and shoulder joints, leading to tears in his ulnar collateral ligament and subsequent Tommy John surgeries.
Did the Yankees regret releasing Eovaldi?
While the Yankees likely saw potential in Eovaldi as a pitcher, his injury and surgeries made him too risky to keep on the roster. While it’s impossible to say for certain, it’s likely that the team did not regret releasing him, given their need to allocate resources towards other areas of need.
How did Eovaldi’s signing with the Rays impact their starting rotation?
Eovaldi’s signing with the Rays gave the team a much-needed boost in their starting rotation. While he was still recovering from his surgery at the time of his signing, the team saw potential in him as a power pitcher with a strong fastball and slider. Once he fully recovered, Eovaldi became a key player in the Rays’ starting rotation, providing stability and consistency throughout the 2018 season.
Why did the Red Sox sign Eovaldi to a long-term contract?
Despite Eovaldi’s injury history, the Red Sox saw potential in him as a pitcher and believed that he could be a valuable addition to their roster. During the 2018 postseason, Eovaldi had been a key player in the team’s World Series championship run, which likely played a role in their decision to sign him to a long-term contract. Additionally, Eovaldi’s power pitching style and ability to pitch deep into games made him an attractive option for the Red Sox, who were looking to strengthen their starting rotation.
Conclusion
Nathan Eovaldi’s departure from the New York Yankees and subsequent moves in his career demonstrate the challenges that Major League Baseball teams face when it comes to roster management and player development.
While Eovaldi’s injury and subsequent surgery made him a risk for the Yankees, he went on to make significant contributions to other teams in the league, including the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox.
Ultimately, Eovaldi’s career trajectory serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of baseball and the importance of making strategic decisions based on available information.
