MLB Trade Rumors: Team Entertaining Offers For Ex-Red Sox Pitcher

A starting pitcher could be on the move a year after finding success away from the Boston Red Sox.

The San Diego Padres are listening to offers for Nick Pivetta, according to The Athletic’s Dennis Lin. However, it’s still unlikely the Padres move the right-hander after a dominant 2025.

Pivetta posted a 4.29 ERA in five seasons with Boston before inking a four-year, $55 million contract last offseason. He finally harnessed his potential by registering a 2.87 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 190 strikeouts in 31 starts.

The 6-foot-6 hurler, who had never previously amassed an ERA below 4.00 in a single season, finished sixth in the National League Cy Young Award voting.

Barring the return, trading Pivetta would weaken an already depleted Padres rotation that lost Dylan Cease to the Toronto Blue Jays in free agency. Michael King is also on the open market, leaving Pivetta as San Diego’s No. 1 starter.

That seems to make him an illogical trade candidate, but Pivetta can opt out of his contract after the 2026 season. It would be an easy decision to forgo his final $32 million over two years if Pivetta comes close to replicating his breakout campaign.

After giving aggressive long-term contracts to Manny Machado and former Red Sox star Xander Bogaerts, the Padres could be facing a financial crossroad. The family of late Padres owner Peter Seidler is reportedly seeking to sell the team after Seidler’s widow, Sheel Seidler, filed a lawsuit seeking control of the franchise.

All those factors could motivate San Diego to explore Pivetta’s trade market this winter. A Red Sox reunion doesn’t appear too likely since they already acquired starting pitchers Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo.