The Pirates and Yankees have discussed a potential trade involving hard-throwing right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review . The Pirates have not received promising results from their starting pitching this season and have been scouring the market for upgrades.
However, Eovaldi has endured his own struggles this season. The 26-year-old has a 7-6 record with a 5.11 ERA in 98-and-two-thirds innings. Among his biggest issues has been limiting home runs, as he owns a startling 1.7 HR/9 rate — by far the highest of his career. At the end of May, Eovaldi was arguably the Yankees’ best pitcher, sporting a 6-2 record with a 3.71 ERA. Since June 3, however, Eovaldi has gone 1-4 with a 6.57 ERA.
Nathan Eovaldi has now allowed 31 earned runs in his last six starts. Not what you want. @Yankees pic.twitter.com/BPvsJE3BFS
— Barry M. Bloom (@Boomskie) July 2, 2016
After the rough stretch, the Yankees decided to put Eovaldi in the bullpen so he can work on his pitching.
“Yeah, I started as a starter and I want to finish as a starter,” Eovaldi said after the demotion, via ESPN . “I see myself as a starter, so I’m not seeing it as that right now. I’m just here to help the team and we’re short on guys and I’m ready.”
In three outings out of the bullpen, Eovaldi did not allow run over seven-and-two-thirds innings. He is scheduled to start for the Yankees on Tuesday when the team welcomes the Baltimore Orioles to Yankee Stadium.
The Pirates’ rotation has featured poor seasons from Jeff Locke (8-5, 5.26 ERA), Jon Niese (8-6, 4.89 ERA), and Juan Nicasio (7-6, 5.10 ERA). Ace Gerrit Cole (5-5, 3.11 ERA) has dealt with a triceps injury and Ryan Vogelsong (3.74 ERA) is expected to rejoin the team soon after dealing with an eye injury.
As Mike Axisa of River Ave Blues writes, this particular rumor makes a lot of sense for both sides. The Pirates and Yankees have come together for trades four times since 2012 (A.J. Burnett, Casey McGhee, Chris Stewart, and Francisco Cervelli). Also, the Pirates have a history of taking struggling pitchers — such as Burnett, Edinson Volquez, and Francisco Liriano — and guiding them to strong seasons.
Axisa also points out that in a potential trade, the Yankees may have an interest in acquiring Niese. The former Mets stalwart is under team control after 2016 with club options for 2017 ($10 million) and 2018 ($11 million). Despite his struggles, Niese has proven to be a serviceable pitcher during his career and would provide the Yankees with a rotation option for next season.
Pirates GM Neal Huntington regrets brutally honest comments on Jon Niese. https://t.co/qeAXKxa5jb pic.twitter.com/hCTe3WBECT
— theScore (@theScore) July 17, 2016
Eovaldi is making $5.6 million this year and has one year of arbitration eligibility remaining.
Eovaldi has been traded twice in his career. Despite his overpowering fastball and seemingly unlimited potential, the Alvin, Texas, native has never put together a superstar season that his stuff indicates is possible. With a fastball that can reach triple-digits on the radar gun, Eovaldi has never been much of a strikeout pitcher (6.6 K/9 for his career).
Biertempfel notes that in addition to the Pirates, the Texas Rangers also have an interest in Eovaldi. Last month, the Chicago Cubs were reportedly looking into the possibility of adding Eovaldi. However, speaking to Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media, Eovaldi dismissed trade rumors surrounding him until something actually happens.
“When I was with the Dodgers, they told me I was untradable, untouchable,” he said. “If you come by with the right player, the right deal, it’s going to get done. So, I mean, I’ve been told I can’t be traded. I’ve been told I can be traded. It’s really been out of my control. I’m a Yankee until I’m not a Yankee or I’m a Yankee forever.”
[Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images]