With starting pitchers in high demand this offseason, Boston Red Sox right-hander Nick Pivetta will “almost certainly” reject their qualifying offer in search of a multi-year deal, which would make him a free agent. Given that Pivetta made $7.5 million in his final year of arbitration last season, Boston’s $21.05 million qualifying offer came as a surprise. But in a somewhat surprising twist, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the right-hander will “almost certainly” decline the one-year deal.
Heading into his age-32 season, Pivetta posted a 4.14 ERA over 145 ⅔ innings in 2024 and has the upside of a front-line starter. With plus stuff and plus command, he has the potential to be more than an upper-middle-tier starter, he just needs to put the pieces together. Passan suggests that at least a three-year deal should be waiting for Pivetta in free agency. A recent projection from his ESPN colleague Kiley McDaniel has the veteran right-hander landing a three-year, $63 million deal.
Also from @JeffPassan, he says Nick Pivetta almost certainly won’t accept the qualifying offer from the Red Sox.
He believes that Pivetta is going to land one of the biggest deals of the winter for a starter.
Cubs, Orioles, and Braves among others are in the mix. pic.twitter.com/KCnC3d2bUw
— Tyler Milliken
(@tylermilliken_) November 12, 2024
Best Fits for Free Agent Red Sox Right-Hander Nick Pivetta
Of the teams searching for starting pitchers this winter, the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, and Atlanta Braves are all linked to Pivetta.
Baltimore Orioles
No team was decimated by injuries quite like the Orioles were in 2024. Already missing closer Félix Bautista, they quickly lost starters John Means, Kyle Bradish, and Tyler Wells to season-ending elbow surgeries. Zach Eflin and Trevor Rogers, both acquired at the deadline, are signed for 2025, but ace Corbin Burnes is not. Acquired in February from the Milwaukee Brewers, former Cy Young winner Burnes was exactly what Baltimore needed him to be. But he came with a caveat, he was only under contract for one more season. Though not Corbin Burnes, Pivetta is a solid right-hander who could be valuable to Baltimore if they lose their ace.
Chicago Cubs
Although Chicago’s starting rotation tied for the fifth-best ERA in baseball last season, the Cubs missed the postseason for the fourth straight year. This offseason though, the Cubs have their priorities set on how they want to improve their team for 2025. Having lost Kyle Hendricks to the Los Angeles Angels, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports “pitching is the Cubs’ main focus.” Chicago has a capable group of starters led by Shota Imanaga, and Pivetta would be a clear upgrade from Hendricks. Even with a potential $21 million AAV, signing Pivetta would still allow Chicago to make much-needed upgrades to their offense.
Atlanta Braves
With Max Fried likely leaving, Spencer Strider injured, and Charlie Morton‘s future (at least in Atlanta) uncertain, Atlanta’s interest in Pivetta is no surprise. Like Fried, Morton is also a free agent and while he intends on pitching next season, it might not be for the Braves. Despite a nine-year age difference, the two right-handers have posted similar numbers and share a reputation as reliable inning eaters. Pivetta could either join Morton in solidifying the back half of the Braves’ rotation or be a cheap enough replacement allowing Atlanta to acquire more bats.
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