MLB Rumors: Nathan Eovaldi Contract is Rangers' 'Top Priority' While Eyeing Offense

The Texas Rangers are expected to make a strong push to retain starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi in free agency.

According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, "Re-signing Eovaldi is the Rangers' top priority. The bullpen, with relievers Kirby Yates, David Robertson, José Leclerc and Andrew Chafin all hitting the open market, needs to be reconstructed. And ... Texas wants to add more offense."

Eovaldi, 34, posted a 12-8 record for the Rangers in 2024 with a 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 166 strikeouts in 170.2 innings across 29 starts. It was his most innings and strikeouts since 2021 and arguably a stronger campaign than his 2023 All-Star season with Texas.

While a solid market should develop for Eovaldi, free-agent pitchers like Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Jack Flaherty and Sean Manaea are likely to be more coveted by teams around baseball. With Blake Snell and Yusei Kikuchi already off the board, however, teams in need of starting pitching will need to strike early, including the Rangers, who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 78-84 campaign after 2023's World Series title.