Nick Pivetta Joins Padres in Four-Year $55 Million Deal

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta has signed with the San Diego Padres for the upcoming 2025 MLB season, inking a significant four-year contract reportedly worth $55 million, including conditional options.

This deal comes after Pivetta rejected a qualifying offer from the Red Sox at the onset of the offseason. The contract structure includes a $3 million signing bonus, with salaries set at $1 million in 2025, $19 million in 2026, $14 million in 2027, and $18 million in 2028. The arrangement offers the Padres injury protection, allowing them to terminate the agreement after two years if Pivetta suffers a specified injury./p>

The Associated Press reported that the Padres could activate a $14 million conditional team option for 2027 if Pivetta is on the injured list for more than 130 consecutive days due to specific injuries or surgeries related to those injuries, which could have implications given Pivetta’s past elbow issue.

Pivetta, now 32, struggled through the 2024 season, finishing with a 6-12 record and a 4.14 ERA across 27 appearances, with 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings. His performance has raised questions about the Padres’ strategy moving forward, particularly comparisons to past controversial free-agent signings like the Marlins’ Carlos Delgado.

David Samson, a former executive with the Miami Marlins, drew parallels between Pivetta’s backloaded contract and the Marlins’ history of such deals, raising concerns that it might not yield the desired results. “The Padres must be cautious not to repeat history,” Samson commented.

The Padres, looking to rebound from a disappointing 2024 season, hope that Pivetta, coupled with the recent one-year signing of left-handed pitcher Kyle Hart, will enhance their roster’s competitiveness, which currently features other key pitchers such as Dylan Cease, Yu Darvish, Randy Vasquez, and Michael King.

As the Padres aim for a more successful campaign in the upcoming season, questions remain regarding whether their ambitious acquisitions can lead them to their first World Series title. With a mix of experienced arms and dynamic newcomers, the potential for a turnaround seems plausible, going into the new season amid heightened fans’ speculation and excitement.