Free-agent pitcher Nathan Eovaldi is in high demand, and interest is only growing among his suitors.
The Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox are seen as two of the leading contenders to sign the right-hander, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
The Astros previously emerged as an interested party, and the Red Sox have been linked to him since his vital role in Boston's World Series pursuit. Eovaldi himself has said he'd prefer to stay with the Red Sox.
Eovaldi returned to baseball in fine form after missing 2017 following his second Tommy John surgery. Between the Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, he went 6-7 with a 3.81 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 22 appearances.
His postseason was where he may have earned his next contract, though. Eovaldi posted a 1.61 ERA and 0.81 WHIP in 22 1/3 innings across three series, including a remarkable six-inning relief performance in Game 3 of the Fall Classic.
While Houston and Boston are believed to be leading the way in the Eovaldi sweepstakes, Feinsand adds that other teams remain in the hunt.