Red Sox, Nathan Eovaldi 'making progress' on four-year deal

Even before the start of the Winter Meetings next week, the Red Sox appear poised to rope in their top target on the free agent market -- starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi.

Various reports Tuesday night had the Red Sox and Eovaldi's representatives in talks for what appears to be a four-year deal.

One source confirmed that the two sides were "making progress,'' but cautioned that a deal was not yet done.

Jon Heyman of FanCred reported that the deal would be worth approximately $17 million in average annual value (AAV) which translates into $68 million or so over four years.

Eovaldi has been one of the most sought-after free agent starters on the market, with upwards of a half-dozen teams interested. One or two teams have designs on utilizing Eovaldi as their closer, though Eovaldi is said to prefer a starting role.

The pitching market gained some clarity earlier this week when Washington signed free-agent lefty Patrick Corbin to a six-year, $140 million deal. A case could be made that, along with Houston's Dallas Keuchel, Eovaldi is ranked in the next best group of starters.

Eovaldi is represented by Sam and Seth Levinson, who typically, move quickly to get their clients signed early in the offseason. The same agency also represents Joe Kelly, another free agent from the 2018 Red Sox.

Among teams known to have interest in Eovaldi: the Red Sox, Yankees, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves. Eovaldi has pitched previously for the Yankees and grew up in Alvin, Texas, a suburb of Houston.

Eovaldi was obtained from the Tampa Bay Rays a week before the July non-waiver deadline in exchange for Jalen Beeks.

Eovaldi appeared in 12 games -- 11 of them starts -- during the regular season and posted a 3.33 ERA. He had a 4-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio with the Sox. However, it was in the postseason that Eovaldi really shined, with six appearances and a 1.61 ERA.

He made two starts -- one each in the ALDS and ALCS -- and allowed just three earned runs over 13 innings in the two outings. In the World Series, Eovaldi pitched an inning of relief in each of the first games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, then, incredibly, gave the Sox six innings of relief -- on a day's rest -- in the epic, 18-inning marathon, won by the Dodgers.

Eovaldi allowed two runs (one earned), including a walk-off homer to Max Muncy. But even in defeat, Red Sox teammates and manager Alex Cora saluted Eovaldi for his effort and stamina, greeting him with a standing ovation in the clubhouse after the game.

On Monday night, appearing at the premiere of the 2018 World Series highlight film, Cora said Eovaldi's relief outing in Game 3 stood as the most memorable performance of the Series, even though it led to the team's only loss in Boston's five-game triumph over the Dodgers.

Eovaldi, 28, has pitched for five organizations and undergone two Tommy John surgeries in his career. A four-year deal would take him through his age-32 season.

The Red Sox have a strong rotation, led by Chris Sale, David Price and Rick Porcello, and augmented by Eduardo Rodriguez and Steven Wright. But Sale and Porcello are eligible for free agency after 2019, so re-signing Eovaldi would give the Red Sox some certainly beyond next season.