Proper-handed pitcher Nick Pivetta has been a sizzling identify in free company, with the Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays reportedly displaying curiosity within the former Boston Crimson Sox starter. Each groups have been related to the 31-year-old, however there are hurdles to clear earlier than any deal materializes, based on Jon Heyman of the New York Put up.
Pivetta rejected a qualifying supply (QO) from Boston, complicating his free company. Any crew signing him would wish to forfeit a draft choose, a big issue for a company just like the Reds that has traditionally prioritized draft capital. Dropping their third-highest choose within the 2025 MLB Draft to safe Pivetta could appear at odds with the Reds’ typical method.
The Reds’ rumored curiosity in Pivetta has raised eyebrows, significantly as a result of their beginning rotation is already loaded with younger expertise. The Reds boast a wealth of arms, together with Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, Rhett Lowder, and up to date addition Nick Martinez. Given this depth, concentrating on Pivetta, who posted a 4.28 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 155.2 innings final season, seems perplexing at first look.
The Reds really feel like an ideal match for Nick Pivetta
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Nevertheless, there could also be extra to this story. One idea is that the Reds are positioning themselves for a commerce involving one among their present starters. If Cincinnati is contemplating parting with a promising younger pitcher in alternate for an outfield improve, Pivetta may assist fill the hole of their rotation. As common supervisor Nick Krall famous, the Reds have been pressingly missing outfield depth, making this a believable state of affairs.
Pivetta affords versatility, with expertise as each a starter and a reliever. His capability to log innings—mixed together with his career-best strikeout charge (10.6 Ok/9 in 2024)—makes him a beneficial asset, significantly for a crew like Cincinnati that would use an innings-eater to enrich its youthful arms. However the price of signing him, each financially and by way of draft picks, could also be too excessive until it coincides with a broader roster technique.
In the meantime, the Toronto Blue Jays are additionally a logical suitor for Pivetta. Their rotation has room for reinforcements, and Pivetta’s familiarity with the AL East may make him a seamless match. In contrast to Cincinnati, Toronto is likely to be extra prepared to soak up the draft-pick loss to solidify their pitching workers.
For now, the Reds’ rumored pursuit of Pivetta stays puzzling however may sign a extra important transfer on the horizon. Whether or not it’s a part of a method to dump one among their present pitchers in a commerce or a manner so as to add confirmed depth, Cincinnati’s curiosity suggests they aren’t content material to face pat this offseason. As Reds followers speculate on the membership’s subsequent steps, the query stays: Is Nick Pivetta half of a bigger plan or merely leverage in his free company market? Solely time will inform.