Could the Atlanta Braves trade for Boston's Nick Pivetta?

Atlanta needs to add a starting pitcher, and Pivetta has projectable upside without being as expensive as many other options

The Atlanta Braves need to add multiple starting pitchers this offseason. 

In the last two postseasons, they've been eliminated by the Philadelphia Phillies and while the offense was the ultimate problem, Atlanta's pitching wasn't really there due to either injury, the lingering effects of injuries/illness, or rust in either series. 

(Against Philadelphia in the last two NLDS matchups, Atlanta's pitchers have allowed thirty-nine earned runs in sixty-eight innings, with sixteen homers hit by Philadelphia.)

So when approaching the offseason for Atlanta, it's assumed general manager Alex Anthopoulos will look at adding up to two "frontline" starters, depending on the possible retirement of veteran Charlie Morton.

Given the current payroll for Atlanta, which is already touching the luxury tax threshold, it's assumed Atlanta won't be able to afford free agent market rates for two postseason starters and so trades are being speculated on as a way to bring in two frontline starters this offseason. 

Who are the top trade pieces for the Atlanta Braves?

One name that's been floated around as a potential trade target is Boston's Nick Pivetta. 

Preparing for his final year of arbitration eligibility, Pivetta is projected to make only $6.9M in 2024. He's coming off of a third-straight 30+ game season in Boston, albeit it split between the rotation and the bullpen. Pivetta had a 4.04 ERA and a 10-9 record in 2023, pitching 142.2 innings with 183 strikeouts (11.5 K/9) and a career-best 1.121 WHIP. 

In the last three years, Pivetta's started 79 games for Boston, with a 4.39 ERA and 10.0 strikeouts per nine innings. 

Of particular interest is what he did down the stretch for the Red Sox - after getting moved to the bullpen in early May, he returned to a starting role in September and reeled off five consecutive starts with a combined 2.37 ERA, allowing only seven extra-base hits and five walks while striking out 38 batters. 

Given Atlanta's struggles to find quality innings in 2023 (and the pending rotation questions for 2024, with Kyle Wright already confirmed to miss the entire season, Ian Anderson not scheduled to be available until at least the 2nd half, and both Yonny Chirinos and Michael Soroka as non-tender candidates), a trade for Pivetta would be affordable from both a trade compensation and a salary perspective. 

While AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep are all but untouchable in trade talks, Vaughn Grissom's trade value might never be higher and he's currently blocked in Atlanta's infield. A package with Grissom and a lower minors pitcher might be enough to get Pivetta from Boston's new front office. 

The advantage to dealing for Pivetta now is that Atlanta has both the contractual control and the money coming free to re-sign Pivetta if he looks to be a frontline starter, like many in baseball believe he is capable of. 

Either way, it's apparent Atlanta needs to bring in multiple starting options and it's hard to see how the money works for both of those pitchers to come via free agency - Morton returning would take care of one of the two, but a trade and/or a "buy low" signing (like Luis Severino) feels more likely for one of the two spots than paying market rates in free agency.

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