Mets free agent target Nathan Eovaldi returns to Rangers on three-year deal

Nathan Eovaldi is staying in Texas.

The veteran right-hander signed a three-year, $75 million deal to return to the Rangers on Tuesday night, The Post’s Joel Sherman confirmed. 

Eovaldi, 34, had been one of the top arms on the free agent market.

Before he re-signed with the Rangers, the Mets reportedly had expressed interest in the two-time All-Star, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. 

Eovaldi entered free agency after a solid 2024 season in which he posted a 3.80 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across 29 starts and 170 ⅔ innings.

In 2023, Eovaldi had one of the best seasons of his 14-year career, making his second All-Star team with a 3.63 ERA in 144 innings. 

Eovaldi joined the Rangers before the 2023 season after four and a half seasons with the Red Sox. 

He previously spent two seasons with the Yankees (2015-16), posting a 4.45 ERA over 279 innings. 

Eovaldi has proven to be one of the top postseason performers on the mound in recent years. 

In 17 playoff games, Eovaldi has a 3.05 ERA, including a perfect 5-0 record during the Rangers’ 2023 World Series-winning run. 

With Eovaldi and Max Fried going off the board on Tuesday, Corbin Burnes, Jack Flaherty and Tanner Scott remain the top pitchers still available in free agency. 

Eovaldi returns to a Rangers rotation that already features Jacob deGrom, Jon Gray and Tyler Mahle.