McAdam: The time is (finally) now for Nathan Eovaldi

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- After all this time -- seven years in the big leagues, employed by five different organizations, two Tommy John surgeries ensured and a 29th birthday just celebrated -- there is still so much unknown about Nathan Eovaldi.

His teammates and manager rave about the quality of his stuff and boast that his athleticism is unmatched in the Red Sox clubhouse. The Red Sox believed in him enough to give him a four-year deal, the second-biggest free agent contract given to a pitcher this past winter. On Wednesday, his first two pitches thrown to an opposing batter since last October, registered 99 mph on the jetBlue Park radar gun.

And yet, despite his major league history and occasional flashes of brilliance, there is the distinct sense that this year, this 2019 season, will finally be his time.

Until now, it's been about promise and untapped potential.

But with Eovaldi's first full season with the Red Sox about to kick off in two weeks, the expectations are ramped up. The Red Sox can't wait to see what he does with the opportunity, and while Eovaldi himself almost reflexively pushes aside any focus on himself and re-directs it to the team, even he is somewhat curious.

It's all lined up for Eovaldi. He's healthy, surrounded by a strong rotation and supportive coaching staff. He has the security of a long-term deal and is fully recovered from the elbow woes that shortened each of his last three seasons.

"I try not to set goals for myself,'' Eovaldi said. "It's more about the day-to-day process, and the next start. I always want to go out there and do my best. I feel like maybe I haven't had that opportunity. It's been about going out and competing for a spot. This year, it's just different.''

"There's absolutely no doubt that he's going to be a huge benefit to our ballclub,'' said Rick Porcello, "Being here for an entire year. I'm really looking forward to it.''

The Red Sox were so intent on retaining him when he reached free agency that they marshaled almost all of their offseason resources toward him. They spent $72.25 million in free agency last off-season and $66 million of it was dedicated to Eovaldi.

They could have re-built their bullpen, or kept Craig Kimbrel as their closer. Instead, they put almost all of their money (and faith) on Eovaldi.

"It will be cool,'' said Alex Cora of the prospect of having Eovaldi for a full season. "I'm looking forward to it. We've been talking about pitch mix and usage and all that as soon as he got here. He's learned a lot in such a short period of time and it will be good to see him every five days and see what can happen. Stuff-wise, in October, I do feel he was the best of all the teams in October and he pitched. It will be good to put him around these guys every five days and see where it goes.''

Consider Cora's comment for context: the Red Sox faced (among others) Luis Severino, Aroldis Chapman, Gerrit Cole, Justin Verlander, Clayton Kershaw and, Kenley Jansen as they steamrolled the opposition and won the franchise's ninth World Series title. They featured a rotation that included Chris Sale and David Price. And still, Cora thought Eovaldi had the best stuff of all of them.

But for a variety of reasons, Eovaldi has achieved only modest success. He has a lifetime record of 44-53 with an ERA of 4.16. Only twice has he thrown more than 150 innings in a single season.

Healthy now and with some changes to his repertoire, the expectation is that's about to change.

"I've always had the fastball,'' said Eovaldi, "so it's been a matter of trying to find that good off-speed pitch that can work off the fastball, and now I've got multiple pitches I can work off of. It's just about staying ahead in the count and being able to execute them.''

The Sox worked with him to change his pitch mix after he was obtained in late July, and the improvement was noticeable. In 54 innings, covering 12 appearances, he had a 3.33 ERA and a four-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio.

He was even better in the postseason with a 1.61 ERA compiled over six appearances -- four of them out of the bullpen. Eovaldi's last October appearance, of course, has taken on almost mythical status: after contributing an inning each in the first two World Series games, he logged six innings (from the 12th through the 18th), holding the distinction of authoring the longest World Series relief appearance ever in the Fall Classic's longest game.

The effort and commitment literally moved Porcello to tears in the Dodger Stadium dugout, and capped a span of three months in which Eovaldi went from new arrival to clubhouse fixture.

With a fresh start in spring training, Eovaldi would seem positioned to explode.

"No disrespect to any other pitching coaches,'' said Porcello. "But I know Dana (LeVangie) and the resources that we have here and I feel like they benefit anybody coming over here. Nate has talked about the adjustments they helped him with and thought they were huge. To have an entire year with everyone, and hopefully, he stays healthy...

"He has some of the best stuff I've ever seen. I can't wait to see what he'll be like for a whole season. Absolutely, the sky's the limit. You don't see a lot of guys with five quality pitches like he has. We're all excited to see it.''