The Texas Rangers added another proven veteran to their improved starting rotation.
Texas native Nathan Eovaldi has agreed to sign a two-year deal with the Rangers in a deal that provides an option for one additional year. The team announced the deal after the right-hander completed physicals for Texas.
Eovaldi comes just 3 1/2 weeks after the Rangers signed two-time National League Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom in free agency.
A person familiar with the deal said Eovaldi will earn $34 million guaranteed, his salary will be $16 million in 2023 and 2024 with a $2 million signing bonus payable later. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team did not release details of the deal, which includes a $20 million player option for 2025 if Eovaldi pitches a total of 300 innings over the next two seasons.
“I’m excited that we’ve added another outstanding pitcher to the rotation in Nathan Eovaldi,” Rangers general manager Chris Young said in a statement. “Nathan has great quality and an unmatched work ethic that will bring a veteran’s presence to the staff.”
Eovaldi has pitched for five teams in 11 major league seasons. He spent four and a half years with the Boston Red Sox. He went 6-3 with a 3.87 ERA in 20 starts in 2022 after going on the disabled list twice (lower back inflammation and shoulder problems). He finished 11-9 with a 3.75 ERA in 32 starts in 2021, when he was selected to the All-Star Game for the first time and was fourth in the AL Cy Young voting.
The Houston native is 67-68 with a 4.16 ERA in 240 games (221 starts) with Boston, Miami, the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Tampa Bay.
DeGrom agreed to sign for five years and $185 million before the winter meetings last month.
Texas also signed Andrew Heaney to a two-year, $25 million deal in free agency, acquired Jake Odorizzi in a trade with Atlanta and retained star lefty Martin Perez for a $19.65 million qualifying offer. The Rangers signed right-hander Jon Gray to a four-year, $56 million deal last winter, plus added infielders Corey Seager and Marcus Semien for about $500 million.