The Padres’ signing of Nick Pivetta comes as a pleasant surprise for the fans amid the reports of scaling back their spending. Yes, the Padres got Pivetta for four years worth $55 million, and that too without trading Dylan Cease, Luis Arraez, and Michael King as rumored. So are the Padres leaving past their ownership issues and on the way to recovery? While it is too soon to confirm that, getting one of the best pitchers from the current crop of free agents is pointing to an optimistic sign. 

Well, landing Pivetta is also coming with a few probable issues for the Padres, as per the insiders. The Padres are warned about getting into financial trouble with Pivetta in the future. However, Pivetta is coming with a relatively good figure, and then what’s the trouble with him? For the team, the trouble is more about the deals and not about his on-field performance. So, Pivetta’s deal is a win or loss for the Padres?

Nick Pivetta’s deal is a win or loss?

Nick Pivetta is coming up with a 6-12 record and a 4.14 ERA for the Red Sox last season, recording 172 strikeouts with 128 hits allowed, 70 runs allowed, and 36 walks in 145.2 innings pitched. A fair moderate number, but enough to strengthen the depleting pitchers from the Padres. The Padres left behind Martin Perez and Tanner Scott from their pitching rotation. Pivetta will offer his pitching variations, including curveball, sweeper, and four-seamer. The challenge here will be his sweeper that doesn’t have plus movement. However, the major problem lies in his contract terms. 

“The Mets made us pay part of Delgado’s salary because they said it’s not fair that you got a year of Delgado at so little and you’re asking us to overpay,” said MLB insider, David Samson. In 2005, the Padres tried to get Carlos Delgado at deferred payment and trade to the Mets, which got boomeranged. Now the situation is somewhat the same with Nick Pivetta as well. The $55 million contract for Pivetta includes a $1 million payout and a $3 million signing bonus this year, followed by $19 million, $14 million, and $18 million in 2026, 2027, and 2028. As per Samson, the Padres typically can try to trade Pivetta post-2025 for profit, which might not sit well with other teams, and the Padres might end up paying more again. 

What is ahead in the future?

The Padres will have consequences if they try to pull off something similar to Delgado, but getting Pivetta can prove successful if he can be continued. The team is not going to get Jos Musgrove this year due to his UCL surgery, and no one is better than Nick Pivetta to fit in that place. Also, with Cease and King still rumored to hit free agency, veterans like Pivetta will come in handy during the high-leverage situations. Till that time, a top-four of Pivetta, Cease, King, and Yu Darvish looks pretty good on paper.

With the addition of Nick Pivetta, the Padres now have three pitchers who were ranked in the top 30 of the game last season in strikeouts. Well, the Padres are set to get a contending pitching squad despite their financial challenges. The Padres’ fans would just hope that they do not try to trade Pivetto for worse and stay with him for better. Getting to the playoffs should be the objective of the team, not gaining products from trading with deferred payments. 

Nick Pivetta’s deal seems to be a win for the Padres considering they are utilizing him to the fullest. Till then, Samson’s warning will have no implications, and a better 2025 season can be expected from the Padres. What do you think about the Padres’ plans with Pivetta? Share your views with us below.