MLB Rumors: These Teams Eyeing Nick Pivetta After Red Sox Denial

It’s become difficult to imagine Nick Pivetta pitching another game for the Red Sox.

Boston extended a qualifying offer to Pivetta after the 2024 MLB season, but the veteran right-hander rejected the one-year proposal Tuesday. Thus, Pivetta will remain in free agency and is free to speak with any club, including Boston.

However, MassLive’s Chris Cotillo believes the Red Sox and the 31-year-old reuniting on a multi-year deal is “unlikely.” Pivetta seemingly has a better shot at fetching such a contract with another team, and Cotillo outlined his potential market in a column published Tuesday.

“Pivetta has been linked to the Cubs, Braves and Orioles on the open market,” Cotillo wrote. “According to multiple baseball sources, the Astros and Rays have long coveted him and could also make a play for his services.”

The Red Sox will miss Pivetta if he finds a new home, as the 2013 fourth-round pick is a reliable arm and a fierce competitor. But since it extended a qualifying offer to Pivetta, Boston will receive a compensatory second-round draft pick should he sign elsewhere.

That would be a nice consolation, but the Red Sox then would need to backfill his spot on the pitching staff. Fortunately for Craig Breslow and company, there are several appealing options on the market.