Earlier this off-season, the Boston Red Sox shocked everyone by extending starting pitcher Nick Pivetta a qualifying offer worth $21.05 million in 2025. However, the 31-year-old turned it down, hitting free agency and putting his former team in position to receive a compensatory pick if he signed elsewhere before the All-Star Break.
After months of waiting, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that Pivetta has signed with the San Diego Padres on a four-year, $55 million deal that includes a pair of opt-outs.
Earlier in the week, Passan wrote that Pivetta was the best pitcher remaining on the free agent market, stating that he was good enough to ask for and wait for a multiyear deal.
That didn’t take long at all.
Pivetta (and Connor Seabold) landed with the Red Sox in a trade from the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020 that sent relievers Heath Hembree and Brandon Workman back in return.
He spent five seasons in Boston, recording a 4.29 ERA, 1.243 WHIP and 10.2 K.9 in 131 outings and 107 starts. Last year, he made 26 starts, posting a 4.14 ERA, 1.126 WHIP and 10.6 K/9.
Now, the Red Sox will get a compensatory draft pick that will fall around No. 77 overall in 2026.
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