The Red Sox issued a qualifying offer to Nick Pivetta , reports Robert Murray of FanSided ( X link ). MassLive’s Chris Cotillo, who first suggested a Pivetta QO was possible, added that Tyler O’Neill will not receive the QO. Pivetta and his representatives at CAA have until November 19 to decide whether to accept.
Boston’s decision comes as at least a moderate surprise. Pivetta has been a consistent source of innings but has never quite managed high-end results. He doesn’t have a single season with an earned run average under 4.
00. Pivetta consistently posts fantastic strikeout and walk numbers, but a propensity for hard contact and the home run ball deals a hit to his overall results. The Sox have yet to quite unlock Pivetta’s full upside.
They’re willing to make a significant one-year commitment to take another shot. If Pivetta accepts the offer, he’d rejoin a rotation that’ll also include Brayan Bello , Tanner Houck and potentially Kutter Crawford and Richard Fitts . The Sox should welcome Lucas Giolito back from injury in the season’s first half.
There’s a decent amount of depth, particularly if Pivetta returns, though the group is still lacking a true #1 arm. Boston neither paid the luxury tax nor received revenue sharing this past season. That puts them in the middle tier of QO compensation.
If Pivetta walks, the Sox would receive a pick between the end of Competitive Balance Round B and the third round in the 2025 draft. This article first appeared .