MLB Free Agents Who Could Become Superstars on New Teams in 2025
RHP Nick Pivetta, Boston Red Sox
Nick PivettaPaul Rutherford/Getty Images
Age: 31
2024 Stats: 27 G, 26 GS, 145.2 IP, 128 H (28 HR), 172 K, 36 BB, 4.14 ERA
The Current State of His Career
Suffice it to say that Nick Pivetta had a better run with the Red Sox than he did with the Philadelphia Phillies.
He put up a 4.29 ERA for Boston, compared to a 5.50 ERA for Philly. He was also adaptable to different roles as a Red Sox, mostly working as a starter but also posting a 3.07 ERA as a multi-inning fireman in 2023.
Pivetta’s persistent problem, however, is that he’s a home run magnet. He’s given up an average of 1.5 home runs per nine innings overall, and at least 20 in all seven of his full seasons.
How Changing Scenery Could Help
Whatever Pivetta’s issue is, it’s not his stuff.
Once again going to Stuff+, Pivetta had the best stuff of any pitcher who logged at least 100 innings in 2024. His four-seamer, curveball and sweeper especially play well, and even his little-used cutter rates as above average.
Nick Pivetta’s 10Ks. pic.twitter.com/MR3GnS7dRZ
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 26, 2024
Though home runs are likely to always be a problem for Pivetta to some degree, he could really take off if he were to sign with a team that has a more forgiving home park.
To name just a couple, the San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians should all be in the market for his services this winter.
