I have been suggesting trading Eovaldi, getting a player back that essentially pays half of Eovaldi PLUS another player that fills a gap in CF, 2B or RP.
I think he has more value than $8.5M x 2.
I would pay $17M of his $34M in a trade that brings back great defensive CF'er who can hit over .725, a plus defensive 2Bman that can his over .750 or a very good set up man in the pen.
I take those savings and instead of signing a pitcher for $40M/4 of $60M/5, I get a better one at $48M/4 or $78M/5. We'd be, in theory, upgrading Eovadli's slot and filling another high need area.
Before Eovaldi's decent 2020 season, I might have said I'd hand him away at half the cost for a bag of balls, but I don't think I have said that since last winter. (I'm sure someone will correct me, if I am wrong.)
Also, I've never been one to place value on any player based on just one season, and certainly not a 60 game season like Eovaldi just did well in.