Nick Pivetta DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Toronto Blue Jays are among the many teams that are interested in free-agent right-hander Nick Pivetta, who is a Canadian native. Pivetta declined a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer from the Boston Red Sox, so any team willing to sign him in free agency will have to give up draft-pick compensation to Boston. Despite never having an ERA under 4.00 in eight major-league seasons, Pivetta has a strong market this offseason as a free agent. The 31-year-old had a 4.14 ERA (4.07 FIP), a 1.13 WHIP and a 172:36 K:BB in 145 2/3 innings over 27 outings (26 starts) for Boston in 2024. Strikeouts are the main draw with Pivetta after having over a 30% strikeout rate the last two seasons. When he does allow contact, though, it's typically hard, and home runs have been an issue. A move out of the American League East would probably be a plus for his fantasy value in 2025.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Cincinnati Reds have checked in on free-agent starting pitcher Nick Pivetta. Sherman also noted that the Reds tried to acquire lefty Garrett Crochet, who was eventually traded to the Boston Red Sox earlier on Wednesday. Last season, Pivetta posted a 4.14 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 145 2/3 innings of work. He generated an excellent 28.9% strikeout rate and showed great command with a 6.1% walk rate. However, he generated ground balls at a weak 33.4% rate and allowed hard contact at a high 38.9% mark. The Reds have already been active this offseason, acquiring starting pitching, as they've traded for Brady Singer and re-signed Nick Martinez, and adding a high-upside strikeout option in Pivetta would further strengthen this relatively weak rotation.

Free-agent right-hander Nick Pivetta declined the Boston Red Sox's $21.05 million qualifying offer on Tuesday. It means that if Pivetta signs with another team on the free-agent market this offseason, the Red Sox will receive draft-pick compensation. The 31-year-old should be able to receive a pretty lucrative long-term contract on the open market, but it remains to be seen if he'll return to Beantown. In his eighth year in the big leagues in 2024, the Canadian hurler went 6-12 with a 4.14 ERA (4.07 FIP), a 1.13 WHIP and a 172:36 K:BB in 145 2/3 innings over his 27 outings (26 starts). He has a career 4.76 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 26.0% strikeout rate and 8.6% walk rate, although his strikeout rate has been over 30% in the last two seasons in Boston. Leaving the tough American League East could be good news for Pivetta's fantasy value.

Boston Red Sox right-handed pitcher Nick Pivetta received a qualifying offer, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Pivetta will now have until November 19 to accept the offer or choose to test free agency. This past summer, the 31-year-old posted a 4.14 ERA and 1.13 WHIP, with a solid 36:172 BB:K ratio across 145 2/3 innings of work. Pivetta generated strikeouts at an elite 28.9% mark thanks to his sweeper, then generated an impressive 35.0% whiff rate. In addition, he also showed solid command with a 6.1% walk rate but struggled with allowing hard contact as he held a 10.1% barrel rate. Fantasy managers should view the 31-year-old as a safe bet for strikeouts with risk, given his hard contact rates heading into the 2025 season.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Nick Pivetta technically made his first relief appearance of the season in Monday's 4-1 loss to the Blue Jays. The game, which was a resumption of the June 26 matchup, picked up in the second inning. Pivetta pitched six innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits (including a solo home run) and no walks with 10 strikeouts. The 31-year-old is now 4-9 with a 4.61 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and a 10.91 K/9 rate in 111 1/3 IP. His numbers would be more appealing overall for fantasy purposes if not for his high 1.94 HR/9 rate, which has likely impacted his ERA. He is slated to face a favorable matchup at the Tigers in his next start, where, hopefully, he should have a better chance of keeping the ball in the yard.