3 Red Sox moves to make to replace Nathan Eovaldi

Red Sox trading for Pablo Lopez would be the big-time splash fans want

Yes, it’s more likely that the Red Sox would sign veterans like Kluber or Wacha than it would be for this team that has been so tentative thus far in the offseason to make an aggressive trade. But if they were going to hit the trade market, then there is a potential stalwart for the middle of the rotation sitting in Miami just waiting to be dealt for. So why not Boston making the deal?

Pablo Lopez made his debut for the Marlins at just 22 years old back in 2018 and flashed then before regressing in 2019. Over the past three seasons, though, he’s developed into an incredibly reliable young arm who could be a terrific long-term No. 2 for the Red Sox, assuming they could trade for him and re-sign him when he becomes a free agent after the 2024 season.

In 63 starts over the past three seasons, Lopez has a terrific 3.52 ERA with a 1.156 WHIP and 119 ERA+. The righty has definitely been overshadowed by NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara and, frankly, hasn’t been quite that good, but he’s been an unsung star for the lowly Marlins still.

Particularly with the uncertainty around Chris Sale — both in terms of staying in Boston and his health — Lopez would be the No. 1 for the Red Sox if they could pull off a trade. Heck, maybe they could even work with a Sale-for-Lopez swap as the baseline for a trade with the Marlins.

In any case, this would be the biggest splash Boston could make to replace Eovaldi. As such, however, trading for Lopez would also have the highest potential reward for the ball club both in 2023 and the future overall.