Report: Eovaldi drawing interest from 9 teams, wants to stay with Red Sox

Nathan Eovaldi is quickly becoming a wanted man.

Following his stellar postseason performance for the World Series champion Boston Red Sox, the free-agent right-hander is reportedly being pursued by at least nine teams, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

While many clubs around the league want Eovaldi, Cafardo reports the Red Sox wish to retain him and his preference is to stay with the team.

Besides Boston, Eovaldi is drawing early interest from the Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants, according to Cafardo.

The Red Sox acquired Eovaldi from the Tampa Bay Rays in July and he immediately morphed into one of Boston's most important pitchers. He crafted a sparkling 3.33 ERA, 2.88 FIP, and struck out eight batters per nine innings for Alex Cora's club over the final two months of the regular season. The 28-year-old posted a 1.61 ERA over six playoff appearances - including two starts - and struck out 16, dominating as both a starter and set-up man ahead of closer Craig Kimbrel.

There is risk in signing Eovaldi, who has undergone Tommy John surgery twice and missed all of 2017 due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament and torn flexor tendon. But interested teams received some good news Thursday as Eovaldi's surgeon, Dr. Christopher Ahmad, gave him a clean bill of health.