MLB Rumors: Red Sox Division Rival Eyeing Pitcher Nick Pivetta

Nick Pivetta turned down a $21.05 million qualifying offer from the Boston Red Sox, opening the door for others across the league to present their contract proposals to the free-agent right-handed pitcher.

So far, the choice to decline the pay increase — Pivetta earned $7.5 million in 2024 — hasn’t led to a contract signing elsewhere, but that doesn’t mean the interest isn’t in place. The Toronto Blue Jays are among several teams expressing interest in signing Pivetta this offseason, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, which means the eight-year veteran might not leave the American League East after all.

Pivetta, a Canadian native, spent the past five seasons with the Red Sox, fulfilling whatever role manager Alex Cora requested. He’d pitch out of the bullpen, carry the load of racking up innings from the rotation and maintain a competitive edge conducive to any team chasing postseason contention — essentially serving as a Swiss Army Knife pitcher. Pivetta was especially impressive during Boston’s 2021 postseason run to the ALCS, going 1-0 with a 2.63 ERA across three starts.

Toronto, like Boston, has been engaged in offseason pursuits with a primary focus on the lineup’s offense. The Blue Jays were among those in on the Juan Soto sweepstakes and were also tied to Cody Bellinger before the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs pulled off their trade on Tuesday evening. But with the pitching market red-hot, too, and with a luxury price tag, Toronto appears to be getting creative.

Pivetta isn’t an ace-caliber pitcher such as Corbin Burnes, Max Fried or Garrett Crochet, however, that doesn’t take away from his most valuable strength: durability.

The Red Sox have been able to count on Pivetta in high-pressure situations, regardless of whatever role, to maintain his fierce motor. Pivetta embraces the do-or-die scenario, never backs down and has always demonstrated a willingness to fulfill the organization’s wishes aimed at doing what’s best for the team. He ranked fourth in innings pitched last season among Red Sox arms, after ranking second in 2023 and first in 2022.

Toronto ranked 22nd with the ninth-highest ERA (4.29) among MLB pitching staffs last season. José Berríos and Kevin Gausman led the charge for the starting rotation but adding Pivetta to the current Blue Jays mix would improve their staff entering 2025.