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Padres Pass On Key Starter Due To His Injuries
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- Padres Pass On Key Starter Due To His Injuries
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The San Diego Padres made a tough call about starter Nick Pivetta as they decided not to pick up Pivetta's option for 2027 that would have paid him $14 million, according to a report from Charlie Wright of MLBTradeRumorscom, who noted that the decision was first delivered by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Pivetta's status and situation changed considerably over the course of this season. He started out as the team's de facto ace, but a flexor strain took the starter out early and he wasn't able to return until September after multiple efforts to come back.
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The right-hander was able to pitch heroically down the stretch and in the playoffs, but whether he's a viable option going forward is a very different question. Pivetta's numbers were impressive, as he posted an ERA of 2.86 during the Padres' stretch run in 34-2/3 innings across eight starts.
He was able to add another 7-2/3 frames in the postseason, but Pivetta was clearly a 4-5 inning option, and the Padres have plenty of those. It's something they're looking to change in the offseason, although GM A.J. Preller hinted that a reworked contract could be coming up, probably before the lockout starts on Dec. 1
Picking up Pivetta's option would also have triggered a player option for 2028, and that was likely a key sticking point for San Diego in this decision. The Padres have a new ownership group, and at the moment we have no idea how they're going to handle their specific budgeting both before and after the lockout.
The next thing to look for with Pivetta is a reworked contract this week with free agency scheduled to start on Monday. If Pivetta gets one early this week it will mean he has a future with the Padres going forward, at least in the short term.
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But the lack of a contract would indicate that Pivetta will hit the open market, even though that's a problematic option for him. He's had this injury before during his stint with the Boston Red Sox, and he would be helped some by the weak market for free agent starters, but he'd be a gamble most teams wouldn't want to take unless he considerably reduced his price.
That contract could also be a minor sign of where the Padres are going in free agency, but they have another contract issue to deal with as starter Michael King hits the market.
