How Red Sox Can Turn Nick Pivetta Gamble Into Consolation Prize

Nick Pivetta was among the 12 players to decline qualifying offers across MLB, which removes an arm from the Boston Red Sox’s starting rotation.

It could also pay off in the long run.

Boston slid a $21.05 million offer across the table to Pivetta, nearly triple the right-hander’s 2024 salary ($7.5 million). With pitching a hot commodity this offseason, Pivetta opted out and chose to bank on himself. In the event another team signs the free-agent pitcher, the Red Sox will receive a third-round compensation draft pick in return.

It could potentially turn into a genius move by chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and the rest of Boston’s front office. Pivetta received an offer many didn’t expect the 31-year-old to reject before Tuesday’s deadline, but it put the Red Sox in a nothing-to-lose, something-to-gain situation in the end.

Consolation picks, historically, have done wonders for Boston. When Xander Bogaerts signed with the San Diego Padres in 2022, the Red Sox gained 22-year-old Kristian Campbell, who was named Baseball America’s 2024 Minor League Player of the Year. When the Detroit Tigers signed Eduardo Rodriguez in 2023, Boston used its No. 79 overall compensation selection to draft 20-year-old Roman Anthony.

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Campbell (No. 10) and Anthony (No. 3) are two of baseball’s top 10 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline. Campbell is considered a candidate for the Red Sox infield next season and Anthony, too, is knocking on the door after last season’s 35-game run in Triple-A Worcester.

When taking a few steps back and reflecting on the past two decades, the organization has made the most of its compensation picks.

Orlando Cabrera, after helping win the 2004 World Series, signed with the Los Angeles Angels and fetched the Red Sox two comp selections in 2005. Boston took outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (23rd overall) and infielder Jed Lowrie (45th overall), producing two everyday big leaguers. Lowrie was traded in 2013 to the Houston Astros while Ellsbury was promoted to Boston in 2007, providing a spark to the 2007 World Series run and then again to the 2013 World Series victory.

Adrián Beltré’s departure to join the Texas Rangers in 2011 paved the way for the Red Sox to draft outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (41st overall). Bradley’s routine web gems made him arguably the best defensive centerfielder in franchise history. And when Boston faced the mighty Astros in the 2018 American League Championship Series, Bradley torched Houston by driving in nine runs, only surpassed by Hall of Famer David Ortiz (11) for the most in Red Sox history.

Having four of MLB Pipeline’s top 25 prospects — Anthony, Campbell, Marcelo Mayer and Kyle Teel — is a great foundation already, but keeping the farm system strong could mold a bright and promising future in the coming years.