Red Sox Rumors: Boston Presents Qualifying Offer To Veteran Starter

Nick Pivetta emerged as an innings-eater throughout an up-and-down tenure across parts of five seasons for the Boston Red Sox.

Pivetta’s contract expired after the 2024 season as Boston sets its plan to navigate the winter. The starting rotation will be a priority again this offseason and Boston may not be ready to close the chapter on Pivetta just yet.

The Red Sox reportedly offered Pivetta the qualifying offer north of $21 million for one year, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo and FanSided’s Robert Murray. Pivetta can either accept the one-year deal at that price tag or test his value and head to free agency. If he walks from Boston, the franchise gets a second-round compensatory draft pick.

Pivetta posted a 6-12 record across 27 appearances for the Red Sox in 2024 with a 4.14 ERA with 172 strikeouts in 145 2/3 innings. He came over from the Philadelphia Phillies at the 2020 trade deadline and most notably pulled the Red Sox through a dramatic win in Game 3 of the 2021 American League Division Series out of the bullpen.

Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito, Tanner Houck, and Kutter Crawford are the current basis of Boston’s starting rotation for 2025.

Pivetta has until Nov. 19 to accept or decline the qualifying offer from the Red Sox.