MLB Rumors: Best Fits For Top Free Agent Nick Pivetta
The 31-year-old right-hander is expected to land a multi-year deal similar to Sean Manaea and Luis Severino, but teams have been hesitant to sacrifice draft capital for a pitcher with a career 4.76 ERA.
“The fact that Pivetta didn’t just accept the one-year, $21.05 million offer looks like quite the mistake right now,” wrote Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report. His ability to eat innings and generate strikeouts remains valuable, but the market has been slow to develop, leaving him without a team as camps open.
Like at what point if you're the Jays FO do you see Nick Pivetta still sitting out there and not consider the Idea for a 6 man rotation? Gives Gausman, Bassitt, and Scherzer all that extra day they need. I'd do it on a 1 year deal.
— Short Porch North of the Border (@ShortPorchNOTB) February 10, 2025
The New York Mets are among the few teams that could justify signing Pivetta despite the penalty. Even after adding Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea, their rotation lacks a true ace beyond Kodai Senga.
The San Francisco Giants remain an option if they miss out on Corbin Burnes, while the Oakland Athletics could pursue Pivetta to pair with Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs as they continue adding arms.
Oakland is one of the few teams aggressively seeking rotation depth, and Pivetta could provide stability for a staff that struggled last season.
Top remaining free-agents using Fangraphs projected 2025 fWAR:
— MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) February 10, 2025
Alex Bregman 4.0
Nick Pivetta 2.2
Kyle Gibson 1.5
Clayton Kershaw 1.4
Jose Quintana 1.4
Andrew Heaney 1.4
Yasmani Grandal 1.3
Brendan Rodgers 1.3
Lance Lynn 1.3
Jose Iglesias 1.1
Alex Verdugo 1.1
Spencer Turnbull 1.1
If Pivetta continues to wait, the Atlanta Braves could emerge as a landing spot later in the year. Atlanta lost Max Fried and Charlie Morton and could view Pivetta as a midseason reinforcement, especially if their younger pitchers struggle.
“It makes you wonder whether he might not have a team until after the All-Star break,” Kelly noted. With draft pick compensation attached until July, a signing may not come until after the MLB Draft, when teams can add him without losing future assets.
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