Report: Red Sox reunion with Eovaldi increasingly likely

It's looking increasingly likely that free-agent pitcher Nathan Eovaldi will re-sign with the Boston Red Sox, as the two sides inch closer to a new deal, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

As negotiations progress, talk is the contract could be for four years at around $17 million per season, according to Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports.

Eovaldi became a key part of Boston's championship run after he was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in July. At the end of November, the Red Sox and Houston Astros were reportedly leading the charge to sign the 28-year-old.

However, his reported preference is to remain with Boston despite reportedly drawing interest from at least nine teams during the offseason.

Eovaldi returned to baseball in 2018 after missing the previous campaign due to his second Tommy John surgery. He went a combined 6-7 with a 3.81 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 3.60 FIP in 22 regular-season appearances with the Rays and the Red Sox. In the playoffs, he posted an impressive 1.61 ERA and 0.81 WHIP across 22 1/3 innings.