1 month agoFree-agent right-hander
Nick Pivetta and the San Diego Padres agreed to a four-year, $55 million deal on Wednesday that includes a pair of opt-outs after the 2026 and 2027 seasons and is pending a physical, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Pivetta will now join a starting rotation in San Diego that includes right-handers
Dylan Cease,
Michael King and
Yu Darvish. The 31-year-old Canadian hurler went 6-12 last year with Boston with a 4.14 ERA (4.07 FIP), 1.13 WHIP and 172:36 K:BB in 145 2/3 innings over 27 outings (26 starts). He's known for peppering the strike zone (career 8.6% walk rate) and has had an above average strikeout rate the last two years at 30% while being a swing man in Boston in 2023. Pivetta is not overpowering by any means with a career 41.3% hard-hit rate, but the move to Petco Park should be good news for his fantasy profile as a No. 5 or 6 fantasy starting pitcher.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
2 months agoAccording to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the San Diego Padres would target
Jack Flaherty or
Nick Pivetta in free agency if they trade
Dylan Cease or
Michael King. Both Cease and King have been around trade discussions throughout the offseason and have begun to see their market begin to heat up over the past week. The Chicago Cubs and New York Mets have been reported to have shown interest in both of these pitchers. However, Heyman noted that if the Padres were to trade one of these, they would look to target a replacement. Last season, Flaherty spent time with the Tigers before moving to Los Angeles to win a World Series. Across 162 frames, Flaherty struck out 194 batters with a 3.17 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. Pivetta logged 145 2/3 innings with a 4.14 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. He struck out 172 batters with a strong 6.1% walk rate.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
3 months agoThe Toronto Blue Jays are among the many teams that are interested in free-agent right-hander
Nick Pivetta, who is a Canadian native. Pivetta declined a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer from the Boston Red Sox, so any team willing to sign him in free agency will have to give up draft-pick compensation to Boston. Despite never having an ERA under 4.00 in eight major-league seasons, Pivetta has a strong market this offseason as a free agent. The 31-year-old had a 4.14 ERA (4.07 FIP), a 1.13 WHIP and a 172:36 K:BB in 145 2/3 innings over 27 outings (26 starts) for Boston in 2024. Strikeouts are the main draw with Pivetta after having over a 30% strikeout rate the last two seasons. When he does allow contact, though, it's typically hard, and home runs have been an issue. A move out of the American League East would probably be a plus for his fantasy value in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
3 months agoAccording to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Cincinnati Reds have checked in on free-agent starting pitcher
Nick Pivetta. Sherman also noted that the Reds tried to acquire lefty
Garrett Crochet, who was eventually traded to the Boston Red Sox earlier on Wednesday. Last season, Pivetta posted a 4.14 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 145 2/3 innings of work. He generated an excellent 28.9% strikeout rate and showed great command with a 6.1% walk rate. However, he generated ground balls at a weak 33.4% rate and allowed hard contact at a high 38.9% mark. The Reds have already been active this offseason, acquiring starting pitching, as they've traded for
Brady Singer and re-signed
Nick Martinez, and adding a high-upside strikeout option in Pivetta would further strengthen this relatively weak rotation.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Joel Sherman
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