Red Sox Reportedly Could Lock Up Fiery Fan-Favorite To Extension Hints Boston Insider
Things certainly have changed in Boston throughout the 2023 season.
The Red Sox took some very positive steps forward this season and with a solid offseason could be right in the thick of the postseason race in 2024. Boston's biggest question marks are in the starting rotation and it will be extremely active this offseason looking to plug the hole with at least one or two new pitchers.
Although the Red Sox will be very active looking at external candidates, one internal hurler may have played himself into a new contract this season. Nick Pivetta struggled to open the season and was moved to the bullpen after eight starts. The 30-year-old turned things around from there and has been one of the club's most consistent pitchers ever since. Whether he was pitching from the bullpen or back in the rotation, he has shown great promise. He has impressed so much that he even could be in line for a contract extension this offseason, according to the Boston Globe's Alex Speier.
"Pivetta’s immediate future in Boston no longer seems like a question, given that the team will be looking to add additional starters this winter," Speier said. "Indeed, it’s fair to wonder whether the Sox might approach a pitcher who will be eligible for free agency after the 2024 season about a multi-year deal.
“I’m not going to speak to that. We still have to get a new (general manager). We have to do new hires,” Pivetta said as transcribed by Speier. “I love playing for the organization of course. You don’t leave any doors closed. Leave them all open and see where it goes."
Pivetta likely will have an opportunity to compete for a back-of-the-rotation spot in spring training thanks to his impressive play in the second half of the season. The 30-year-old has grown into a fan-favorite for his fiery antics since joining the club during the 2020 season and it sounds like there's a chance that he could be sticking around for the foreseeable future.
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