Why Baltimore Orioles projected $60 million hurler ‘could become superstar’ with Braves
The Atlanta Braves are very good at what they do.
Though Atlanta is a big-market team, they don’t bully their way to the top like the Los Angeles Dodgers or New York Yankees. They’re a player development machine, and they’re also the masters of locking their young stars up on long-term extensions.
In recent seasons, the Braves have also begun building pitching staffs of veteran reclamation projects, breathing new life into the careers of Charlie Morton, Chris Sale, and Reynaldo López. And there’s one obvious candidate to become the next rejuvenated Braves starter on the free-agent market.
The Braves had tremendous success in pilfering Sale from the Boston Red Sox last winter, and perhaps they could revitalize another Boston hurler this year. Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report named Red Sox hurler Nick Pivetta among a list of players who could “become superstars” with new teams next season.
“Suffice it to say that Nick Pivetta had a better run with the Red Sox than he did with the Philadelphia Phillies… 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,” Rymer said.
“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.”
Pivetta, who turns 32 in February, doesn’t have the surface stats that would make an outsider’s eyes pop. But the under-the-hood metrics hold some gems: Pivetta led all pitchers who threw at least 100 innings this season in Stuff+, and is striking out over 11 batters per nine innings since the start of 2023.
Though Truist Park isn’t necessarily a pitcher’s park, it’s certainly an easier place to pitch than Fenway Park. And because he’s been pitching at Fenway, Pivetta’s inflated stats could make him more affordable. Spotrac’s current projection for Pivetta’s contract is four years, $60 million.
If the Braves can steal Pivetta for less than $50 million, it would be the latest in a long line of savvy transactions by Alex Anthopoulos and the front office.
