2 creative trades Nathan Eovaldi won't veto that are more than just Rangers salary dumps

Rangers president of baseball operations, Chris Young, has said that the organization will be open to pursuing trades for the big three of Nathan Eovaldi, Jacob deGrom, and Corey Seager over the winter. They make an estimated $90 million of the team's $189 million payroll this year, significantly hamstringing the front office from turning the page from the high-priced team that has underachieved over the past three seasons.

Let's look at who could be interested in trading for "Big Game Nate" Eovaldi this offseason and what the Rangers could expect in return. Keep in mind that Eovaldi has a full no-trade clause, so he would have to sign off on any potential deal.

Here are 2 teams that Nathan Eovaldi might waive his no-trade clause for, and who the Rangers might seek in return

Boston Red Sox

This could be a trade that works out for both teams. The Red Sox face uncertainty surrounding the future of free agent right-hander Sonny Gray, who is a free agent. Eovaldi is still considered a hero in Beantown due to his heroics in the Sox unforgettable 2018 run to win the World Series. Eovaldi went 2-1, posting a 1.61 ERA, a 0.81 WHIP, with 16 Ks over 21 innings. He is still very highly regarded there and might be willing to waive his no-trade clause to return in 2027.

In return, the Rangers would likely target outfielder Jarren Duran, following the news that Evan Carter just underwent hip surgery for a torn labrum and will not be back for the start of the regular season. Duran struggled in 2026 with an uncharacteristic slash of .207/.266/.361 after posting a combined 13.9 bWAR over the previous two seasons, including an All-Star Game appearance. He has moonlighted in center field the last two years, but he's been a solid left fielder, who also posted 17 defensive runs saved in 2024, the last time he got regular run in center. He has also stolen at least 21 bases each of the last four seasons.

That recent performance has tanked Duran's trade value, but he could be a buy-low candidate who fits Chris Young's desire to get more durable, more athletic, and more dynamic. The 30-year-old has played 151 or more games in each of the past three seasons, and when he's right, his athleticism shines through and allows him to be a dynamic stat-sheet stuffer.

It would address an area of need for both teams, and since Duran is owed an estimated $11.1 million in 2027 versus Evo's $20 million base salary, it would save the Rangers roughly $9 million.

Houston Astros

The idea of Eovaldi in one of those wretched orange and white Astros uniforms is enough to turn your stomach, but hear us out on this one. Evo is from Alvin, Texas, just outside of Houston. He still lives there, and as he gets older and his kids are growing, he might entertain being back home to finish up his career. Plus, he would remain in Texas, which currently has no state income tax, so he wouldn't be forfeiting any money. The Astros pitching staff is in shambles, with just Hunter Brown and Peter Lambert as reliable rotation pieces. They need a stabilizing piece like Eovaldi.

Chris Young would likely look at someone like 3B Isaac Paredes for 2027. The Astros exercised a $13.35 million option on him, but have a logjam of corner infielders with him, Christian Walker, and Carlos Correa. They're obviously leaving reigning 2026 AL batting champ and Ranger-killer Yordan Alvarez at DH, meaning they could be looking to unload one of the other three. Paredes could fill the DH role full-time in 2027 and give third baseman Josh Jung a few days off in the field now and then. Jremy Pena is a long shot. He will make $11.1 million and is entering the final year of arbitration with Houston.

These are just a couple of possible options available to the club, and Young should they begin to dismantle the "big three" this winter, and in both cases, the Rangers not only shed salary, but get a useful player back at a position of need on the big league roster.

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