The Boston Red Sox aren’t done tinkering with their pitching staff just yet. After already swinging deals for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo earlier this offseason, the Sox continue to explore ways to deepen their rotation - and one familiar name has resurfaced in trade talks: Nick Pivetta.
Yes, that Nick Pivetta.
After parting ways with Boston last offseason, Pivetta landed with the San Diego Padres and promptly delivered the best season of his career. He went 13-5 with a sparkling 2.87 ERA and racked up 190 strikeouts - numbers that turned heads across the league. Now, with the Padres reportedly open to dealing him, the Red Sox could be eyeing a reunion.
Pivetta’s time in Boston was a bit of a rollercoaster. He showed flashes - electric stuff, high strikeout potential - but consistency was always the missing piece.
Part of the issue was role misalignment. He was often leaned on as a frontline starter, when in reality, he profiles better as a strong No. 3 or 4 - someone who can give you quality innings without the pressure of anchoring the rotation.
Now, with Gray and Oviedo in the fold, Pivetta wouldn’t need to be that guy. He’d slot in behind them, potentially thriving in a role that better suits his strengths. And with his familiarity with the Boston clubhouse and the intensity of the market, there wouldn’t be much of a learning curve.
Of course, pitching isn’t Boston’s only concern right now. The offense still needs work - that’s no secret.
Ideally, the front office would use its capital to upgrade the lineup. But Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow has made it clear that he values pitching depth, and adding Pivetta could give the Sox the flexibility to make a bigger splash elsewhere.
There’s a scenario where acquiring Pivetta helps set the stage for a more aggressive move - say, a blockbuster trade for Ketel Marte of the Diamondbacks. That kind of bat would change the complexion of the lineup and push Boston closer to legitimate contender status. But even if that doesn’t materialize, bringing Pivetta back could still be a smart, stabilizing move.
The Red Sox have positioned themselves well this offseason, and the pieces are there to build a team that can make noise in October. Whether Pivetta is part of that final puzzle remains to be seen, but he’s certainly a name to watch as the winter continues to unfold.