Will Middlebrooks Hits Brakes On Red Sox Trading For These Big-Name Pitchers

Sox Talk with Will Middlebrooks is a recurring content series on NESN.com. Middlebrooks, a former Red Sox player and current NESN analyst, gives his insight and opinion on pertinent Red Sox storylines throughout the season. You can read the latest stories from the series here.

The Boston Red Sox acquiring Nathan Eovaldi prior to the upcoming MLB trade deadline certainly would excite the fan base.

Eovaldi was a workhorse over four-plus seasons with the Red Sox and a proven playoff performer, including being a key cog in Boston’s run to the 2018 World Series title. Eovaldi is still a rock-solid option for any starting rotation, too. The 34-year-old owns a 7-4 record with a 3.31 ERA and an excellent 1.038 WHIP in 18 starts with the Texas Rangers this season.

Many see Eovaldi being an ideal trade candidate for the Red Sox, who are in need of starting pitchers, plus bullpen help, despite already landing James Paxton from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

But before fans can run wild about thinking of Eovaldi back in a Red Sox uniform, Will Middlebrooks pumped the brakes on the idea of Boston trading for the right-hander.

“I love Nathan Eovaldi, but you got to put the sentiment aside,” Middlebrooks told NESN.com. “I love him and I would love him here. He’s very expensive and he has a vesting option of $20 million next year and that’s based off incentives and innings — I’m sure it’s innings-based and he’s been healthy for a good amount of the year. He missed a month, but I think he still has a chance to get to the certain innings. So, that’s a lot of money for next year.

“This is team where there’s other places you need to (add). You can do a lot with $20 million. You can have three good players.”

Eovaldi isn’t the only big name on the trade market Middlebrooks believes the Red Sox will steer clear of prior to next Tuesday’s 6 p.m. ET deadline.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty and Toronto Blue Jays lefty Yusei Kikuchi are two pitchers garnering attention, but Middlebrooks doesn’t like those options for the Red Sox since they would be rentals with both set to be free agents following this season.

Chicago Cubs starter Jameson Taillon could be a possibility since he is under team control through 2026, but his contract should make it a pass for the Red Sox in Middlebrooks’ eyes.

“He’s making $18 million (per year) the next two seasons and that’s a lot for a guy who’s going to give you about a four ERA,” Middlebrooks said. “He’s going to give you innings. He does have an injury history, which we know. Major injuries, so that’s concerning.”

Red Sox fans shouldn’t lose hope of Boston obtaining another starting pitcher. Middlebrooks sees two realistic options on the table for the Red Sox that would be more cost effective and not only benefit the team this season, but in the future, too.

“I just can’t go rental,” Middlebrooks said. “I want to help this team, but helping this team is beyond this year.”