Introduction

The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly expressing interest in right-handed pitcher Nick Pivetta, according to Jon Heyman from the New York Post. Pivetta, standing tall at 6'5", is one of several teams monitoring the 31-year-old Canadian, with the Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, and his current team, the Boston Red Sox, also in the mix.

Nick Pivetta's Season Overview

Pivetta has gained attention this offseason as one of the most sought-after unsigned starting pitchers. He is among a select few, including Corbin Burnes and Sean Manaea, who recently declined lucrative qualifying offers. The Red Sox surprised many by risking a $21.05MM qualifying offer, but it appears to be a smart decision given the current competitive market for starting pitchers.

Last season was a rollercoaster for Pivetta, who enjoyed a strong finish after initially struggling at the start of 2023. After being temporarily demoted to the bullpen, he bounced back to reclaim his spot in the starting rotation. Pivetta made 27 appearances and posted a 4.14 ERA over 145 2/3 innings. Notably, he faced a brief setback due to a flexor strain, marking his first ever stint on the injured list that wasn’t virus-related, but he quickly returned to form by mid-May.

Pivetta's Performance and Potential

While Pivetta has yet to record a season with an ERA below 4.00, his statistics reveal promising potential. His ERA has consistently hovered in the low 4.00s over the past few seasons, with a 4.09 mark amassed over 288 1/3 innings since the beginning of 2023. Moreover, he has demonstrated impressive strikeout capabilities, fanning 30% of batters faced while maintaining a 7.3% walk rate over the last two seasons. However, a persistent issue has been his home run rate, which has exceeded the league's average throughout his seven-year MLB career.

Blue Jays' Interest and Strategy

The Blue Jays see value in Pivetta's durability and solid run prevention numbers, which could classify him as a high-end #3 or potential #2 starter in their rotation. With the expectation that Pivetta’s camp will seek a contract exceeding the three years and $67MM recently secured by Luis Severino with the Athletics, negotiations could potentially heat up.

Toronto has shown interest in nearly every noteworthy free agent available this offseason. However, they have yet to secure any significant additions aside from a two-year, $15MM deal to bring back reliever Yimi García. They have also made headlines by taking on Andrés Giménez's five-year, $97.5MM contract from the Guardians during the Winter Meetings. This notable transaction reflects the front office's aggressive strategy as they continue to evaluate multiple options in the free agency market.

Conclusion

In their pursuit of a strong starting pitcher, the Blue Jays are also linked to elite talents like Burnes. However, adding both Burnes and Pivetta may not be feasible; thus, Pivetta could serve as a strategic alternative. Finding the right pitcher to join Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt, and Bowden Francis in the Opening Day rotation is crucial. If they secure Pivetta, it could allow them to reallocate funds and make impactful upgrades elsewhere in the lineup, indirectly bolstering a bullpen that remains a significant area of concern even with the recent addition of García.

As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on the Blue Jays as they navigate the complex waters of free agency. Will Pivetta be the missing piece in their championship puzzle? Only time will tell!