By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
With just days remaining until spring training camp breaks, perhaps the biggest question surrounding the Philadelphia Phillies — other than Bryce Harper's health after being hit in his right ankle — is the durability of their starting rotation.
The only "definite" is RHP Aaron Nola; right-handers Jake Arrieta, Nick Pivetta, Zach Eflin and Vince Velasquez, among others, that follow are anything but — as of now.
To address that concern and bolster their rotation, the Phillies, according to WEEI's Rob Bradford, "really wanted" to sign free agent RHP Nathan Eovaldi this offseason, as did the Los Angeles Angels.
After his postseason heroics, it's no shocker @RedSox P Nathan Eovaldi broke into @dklive's Top 50 Pitchers list. @gehrenbergdfs and @SBuchanan24 break down the expectations for Eovaldi going into 2019.
Top 50 Pitchers ➡️ https://t.co/yWK4n6FFdH pic.twitter.com/4CVEnAKNqm
— The Sweat (@TheSweatDK) March 10, 2019
Eovaldi, 29, was coming off of a stellar 2018 World Series showing, in which he allowed just two runs (one earned) spanning three relief appearances and eight innings pitched. Facing 28 batters, he allowed just three hits and one walk, while striking out six batters en route to a 1.13 ERA and 0.500 WHIP.
The Phillies even considered signing Eovaldi as closer, just weeks after seeing his effectiveness in the bullpen in the postseason, after missing out on All-Star closer Edwin Diaz being included in the Jean Segura trade. David Robertson is a nice consolation prize. Remaining free agent Craig Kimbrel would be even better.
Eovaldi was the second-youngest available pitcher on the open market, Bradford notes. The Phillies eyed the right-hander as early as July 2018, but he was instead traded to the eventual World Series champions for southpaw Jalen Beeks.
When Eovaldi entered free agency this offseason, he had only two teams in mind where he wanted to sign: the Red Sox and Houston Astros, not the Phillies. He ultimately chose to return to the Red Sox on a four-year, $68 million contract.
