Nick Pivetta's qualifying offer decision confirms Red Sox gamble paid off

Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta has become a free agent after he declined a qualifying offer from the club.

MLB insider Mark Feinsand was the first to report Pivetta's decision. The righty had been with the Red Sox organization since the middle of the 2020 season and has posted the most innings of any pitcher on the team in that span.

Pivetta was expected to decline the $21.05 million qualifying offer after reports broke that his market is "surprisingly strong." Despite his middling 4.14 ERA, the veteran is well-regarded for his high-quality stuff and career 10 strikeouts per nine innings, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow took a gamble by extending the pricey qualifying offer to Pivetta. It would be hard to justify the veteran being worth $21.05 million for one season, but Breslow anticipated his competitive market.

Red Sox, Craig Breslow's gamble with Nick Pivetta pays off after he declines qualifying offer

Boston will receive a compensatory draft pick for losing Pivetta to free agency. The Sox have had great success with compensatory picks in recent history — Baseball America's No. 1 overall prospect Roman Anthony and 2024 Minor League Player of the Year Kristian Campbell were both selected with compensatory picks.

The additional pick could also soften the blow if the Red Sox hope to sign another player who received a qualifying offer. Any team that signs a player who rejected a qualifying offer must forfeit a draft pick. Boston is reportedly targeting multiple players who've declined offers from their former clubs, such as Juan Soto, Teoscar Hernández, Corbin Burnes and Max Fried.

At this offseason's general manager meetings, Breslow told reporters he hopes to "raise the ceiling" of Boston's rotation before the 2025 slate. Any upgrades may be contingent on Pivetta's denial of the qualifying offer — the Red Sox still have Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito, Kutter Crawford and Garrett Whitlock from last year's staff, and carrying all the same pitchers as before doesn't constitute an improvement.

Pivetta's departure will give the Sox room to add to their rotation and protection from a potential lost draft pick if they sign someone who also declined their qualifying offer. Boston hasn't made many moves yet this offseason, but one of Breslow's first worked out.

More Red Sox reads: