The San Francisco Giants might be an ideal destination for Boston Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta, a free agent with the potential to elevate his career to stardom. As the Giants look to bolster their pitching lineup in the offseason, Pivetta’s skills could make him a valuable asset.
Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer recently highlighted several players with the potential to flourish on new teams, and Pivetta was among them. Rymer noted that Pivetta possesses excellent “stuff” on the mound. According to Stuff+ metrics, Pivetta led all pitchers with over 100 innings in 2024 in terms of pitch quality, with a strong four-seam fastball, curveball, and sweeper, alongside an above-average cutter.
However, Pivetta’s career has been hampered by his tendency to give up home runs, which could improve in a more pitcher-friendly park.
Oracle Park, the Giants’ home field, is notably one of the most home-run-suppressing ballparks in MLB, making it an ideal setting for Pivetta. At 31, Pivetta has generally maintained a consistent 4.33 ERA over the past four years, but his underlying numbers suggest he has the potential to pitch better.
Originally drafted by the Washington Nationals in 2013, Pivetta was later traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, where he made his MLB debut. After a few underwhelming seasons, he joined the Red Sox, where he improved his strikeout rate and kept his walks low. Despite his progress, Fenway Park’s hitter-friendly environment has exacerbated his home run problem.
With the Giants allowing the third-fewest home runs last season, this move could unlock Pivetta’s potential, making him a perfect fit for San Francisco.
