EXCLUSIVE: Red Sox avoiding arbitration with Nick Pivetta quiets trade rumors and sends message
The Red Sox and Nick Pivetta have escaped arbitration.
According to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, Pivetta and Boston have agreed on a $7.5 million contract for the 2024 campaign. Prior to the agreement, MLB Trade Rumors projected that he and the Sox would reach a $6.9 million deal. He was scheduled to make $5.35 million in the upcoming season.
Although Pivetta had better success coming out of the bullpen in 2023—he even set a franchise milestone for the most strikeouts in a relief appearance—he is still one of Boston’s stronger starting pitching options.
Pivetta’s pay increase is a reflection of his play in the second half of the previous season. Pivetta’s year was saved by his bullpen efforts after he faltered when making starts in the first half and put up some remarkable numbers. In 38 appearances (142.2 innings), he recorded a career-low 4.04 ERA.
The Red Sox and Nick Pivetta do not have to appear in arbitration.
With a strikeout rate of 11.5 per nine innings, Pivetta recorded 183 strikeouts. He deserved his pay raise and perhaps another chance at a first job. This should put an end to any trade rumors surrounding Pivetta, which were formerly heavily discussed due to his departure from the starting rotation and the Sox’s intention to restructure their roster in preparation for 2024. Of course, but they obviously want Pivetta to stay in their picture, but they also seem to be paying him a little more money.
Along with catcher Reese McGuire, bullpen pitcher John Schreiber, and new outfielder Tyler O’Neill, the Red Sox also avoided arbitration.
Last year, McGuire, the Sox’s backup catcher, agreed to pay $1.5 million, an increase from $1.25 million in 2023. McGuire batted.267 in 72 games during the previous campaign.
The Sox and Schreiber decided to increase their contract from $750,000 to $1.175 million for the following season. In his 46 games in 2023, Schreiber recorded 46.2 innings pitched, 41 hits, 20 earned runs, 6 home runs, 25 walks, and 53 strikeouts.
To replace Alex Verdugo, O’Neill will probably play right field most of the time. Boston and he agreed to a $5.85 million 2024 contract.
As of the afternoon of January 11, all of the players who filed for arbitration settled, meaning that the Red Sox won’t require any arbitration hearings beginning in 2024. Boston no longer needs to be concerned about the salary of any of its current players when it returns to the free agent market.
