The Astros had a “very high” amount of interest in Nick Pivetta prior to the trade deadline, MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo reports. No deal was worked out between Houston and Boston, naturally, as the Red Sox were still in contention and opted against moving Pivetta or any other impending free agents. The Astros instead pivoted to landing Yusei Kikuchi from the Blue Jays in what was arguably the most impactful trade of deadline season, as Kikuchi’s dominance dominance since coming to Houston has been a key factor in the Astros’ run to the AL West crown.
Pivetta made his final start of the 2024 campaign yesterday, and the right-hander finishes his eighth MLB season with a 4.14 ERA over 145 2/3 innings, as well as very strong strikeout (28.9%) and walk (6.1) rates. Pivetta’s success was limited by a propensity for allowing hard contact and a lot of home runs, but all in all, he has made a solid case for himself as he enters free agency in advance of his age-32 season. On paper, the Astros’ mix of younger arms and veteran starters returning from injury should help the team make up for the possible departures of Kikuchi and Justin Verlander in free agency, yet the “you can never have enough pitching” cliche is a persuasive counter-argument. Bolstering the group with a mid-tier option like Pivetta could be an attractive option to the Astros this winter.
Some other items from the AL West…
- A CT scan on Josh Jung’s surgically-repaired right wrist revealed no structural damage, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy told reporters (including Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News). Jung missed most of the season after undergoing the surgery in early April, and was still bothered by some discomfort in his wrist after returning to the field in late July. The Rangers ended Jung’s season with an IL placement earlier this week, and Bochy said that the third baseman’s shutdown period will involve “complete rest for a couple of weeks and then we’ll test it and see where he’s at.” Jung hit only .248/.278/.367 in 169 plate appearances following his surgery.
- The Mariners’ offense has been one of the best in baseball since Edgar Martinez assumed hitting coach duties on August 23, yet it isn’t clear if Martinez will be back in the job next season. The Seattle Times’ Adam Jude writes that the club has already started looking for a new hitting coach, though the M’s would seemingly love having Martinez return, if he is willing to take on the daily grind of a coaching role over a full season. The possibility exists that the Mariners could both hire a new top hitting coach and still retain Martinez, as Jude suggests that Martinez could stay on as a coach for just home games, in order to cut down on the travel.
Martinez is a HOFer worth tens of millions. I doubt he returns for that grind. An advisor role makes sense, but will the new hitting coach feel empowered with Martinez staring over his shoulder?
I imagine any hitting coach brought in will have the situation clearly laid out for him.
If the Mariners feel Edgar is a key part of the offenses rebirth, they should move heaven and earth to keep him around. If they can have even a half decent offense next year with those pitchers, they could make some real noise next year.
Canuck – The better question, does the 61-year-old Martinez adhere to the latest analytics approach for hitting? If not and the front office does, then he probably wouldn’t be a good longterm fit.
The article says he doesn’t with his “see ball, hit ball” approach. Julio Rodriguez likes Edgar so I think they should offer him enough to try to keep him.
Well Edgar has proven that he knows how to make the team hit better than the front office does
YBC – Thank you, I couldn’t read the article because of a paywall.
I don’t know the Mariners front office enough to offer an opinion, hopefully they value results over analytics.
And results over gut feeling.
YBC – Thank you, I appreciate it!!
I’ve bookmarked the site.
sad – I’m not surprised. Former great MLB batters know a lot more about hitting approach than analytics geeks crunching numbers …. and I use the term geeks affectionately, as I’m a fan of Big Bang Theory ;O)
They hit far better with Edgar as hitting coach. Results are what matter most.
And results over analytics
Edgar was the hitting coach from mid-2015-2018. He stepped aside because it took too much time from his family. He said that they gave up enough for him in his playing days. Maybe six years later he’s ready to give it another shot. Although I’d love to see him in that role, my gut says no.
I don’t like the idea of trying to force Edgar for the season grind if he doesn’t want to the mariners need him
@sad Nobody can force him. You can try to sell him though with money and autonomy.
sad – As the article states, they could let Martinez coach only when the team is home.
A half year of Edgar is better than none of Edgar.
Who is forcing him? If he doesn’t want the grind he won’t do it. He stepped away before.
Maybe, maybe not. Looked at Martinez’s MLB career and BR shows him as earning right at 50m from his playing days. Sure, he’s probably taken in cash in other areas since, but to add something.. Jason varitek cpl years back came onboard the Boston coaching staff mostly to just get back in the game. He may not be a HOF player, but earned 20m more in a shorter period and there are probably other coaches in the game who earned 50m+ during their respective careers who do it for the love of the game
Also we don’t know what they did with that money, look at people like Andre Dawson or lenny dykstra working after bad decisions
Pivetta has been very consistent, versatile and fairly healthy the past two seasons. He will get paid well, likely not by the Sox. I wish him well.
Fever,
Your Red Sox had a run during the season where they looked like a playoff team. I hope Breslow gets to make moves, you guys have some great players, they just need a little help.
acoss – Thank you for the encouraging words, I appreciate it!
They have some really good prospects coming up, and a good core of young established players (Devers, Abreu, Duran, Houck, Crawford).
The run this season was a bit of a mirage though. Easy schedule, pitching staff starting strong because of an entirely new approach, and both Devers & Duran were having outstanding seasons.
Until a couple weeks ago they had basically the same record as last year when they finished last, so good runs are nothing new over the course of a 162-game season. If Sox management had decided to GFIN at the trade deadline, they’d be in a playoff spot for sure.
Hoping next year will be different, but with ownership saying they don’t plan to contend until at least 2026 it will probably be another bridge year next season.
Fever the we all know that the Red Sox need high end pitching help to compete the next couple of years.
I would argue this is exactly the time to take on a big contract like Burnes or another tor arm and add a couple of high end relief arms. The reason for this is two-fold this gives them a legitimate window opening next season but in three years or so I think it’s highly likely low cost higher end arms are going to start to show making it less likely they will rely on a high end free agent arm such as Burnes. Next year as guys like Anthony, Campbell, and Teel matriculate we are going to start hearing about the list of arms coming for Boston. IMO the prospects that are going to break out next season is multiple pitching prospects and next year will be the year that rest of the prospect experts like BA realize that low and behold the Red Sox have arms coming.
The guys they have coming aren’t likely to make difference next year or even the year after that since they were mostly in A ball this year but they are coming. It’s time to address the pitching now the future will take care of itself.
This team can compete as early as next season if ownership lets Breslow add that tor arm and a couple of high end bullpen arms. They should be able to this without going over the lux tax.
Bruin – Excellent post, I fully agree!
Ownership has stated they don’t plan to acquire elite talent via trade or free agency until CMAT has established themselves at the major league level. Hopefully missing the postseason for the third year in a row will change their mind and they try to win next year, I think this year’s financials will have a big impact on how they approach 2025.
Can you point to the specific “Ownership has stated”. Have not heard or seen that. Seems more of an assumption than a thing any ownership looking to sell tickets would actually “state”.
No. response because it was obviously made up. Repeat it enough times and you can start saying “Everybody knows . . .”
Fever Pitch Guy: “ownership saying they don’t plan to contend until at least 2026”
======================
A Fever Pitch Lie.
Fever Pitch Guy: “Ownership has stated they don’t plan to acquire elite talent via trade or free agency until CMAT has established themselves at the major league level.”
================
A Fever Pitch Lie.
Couldn’t agree with you more… if Nick was thought to be part of the starting pitching problem good luck!! He was solid to say the least since the trade ( which was a great one for Boston) plus his down the stretch/ playoff pitching was pretty darn good also….
Too bad about the non-deal, though. The Vazquez trade turned out to be pretty darn good. Maybe they could have done something similar with Pivetta.
Pivetta really turned his game around after the short term banishment to the pen last summer Fever. his tenure in boston was very solid. 1st 2y nice, then prettybad start of last year, until banished to pen cpl months and afterwards solid mid rotation arm again. I think he’s about the 4-5th best SP available this FA period and guessing more than that will be paid more.
john – Agreed!! I will never forget his historic 13K relief appearance, and I’m amazed he never had a no-hitter because he had several games where he could have.
He has been consistent but the Red Sox should have sold. They had a 30 to 40 percent chance of making the playoffs at the deadline and they chose to stand pat and do nothing.
Dave – Excellent handle!!!
I totally agree with you, they should have either GFIN at the deadline or sold off guys like Pivetta, O’Neill, Jansen and Martin. Instead they simply faked wanting to win, and they’ve paid a huge price for it.
Jansen was injured at the time I believe, but all the others you are right
Dave – You are probably thinking of pre-season, they couldn’t trade Kenley then because he was indeed hurt. But at the end of July he was healthy, pitched July 26, 27, 31.
Something very weird is going on with Kenley and Cora.
First Kenley complains about being lied to when he signed his contract, and ownership’s lack of interest in winning.
Then last Sunday he pitches in Game 1 of the doubleheader despite it being a blowout.
Then he’s unavailable for Game 2 and gets put on the IL with “inflammation” which is the most common phantom injury for pitchers.
Then he goes home for the season instead of staying with the team.
Then Cora claims “Kenley is dealing with some things” but doesn’t specify what.
Then Red Sox insiders insist Kenley never was injured this week, even the announcers said it publicly.
It’s unfortunate that whenever a star player or member of management leaves the Sox, quite often he gets bashed after he’s out the door.
I wish Kenley all the best.
Martinez should give his input on who he thinks should be hitting coach. And if he help on home games- take it.
I do not know much on the Red Sox pitcher. But do wonder why Astros would want Verlander back. He is 42 I think as saw in the free agent pitchers out there and more. I do not see why Houston would not want to retain Kikuchi. But guess they plan on McCullers, Garcia, Framber, Blanco and Dpencer maybe. If Blubaugh from the minors makes it or not. I see Houston needing outfield, first and maybe third. After that day Whitcomb had they sent down and called Dezenzo back. But will be an interesting off season with Soto, and Bregman. I know Soto is not with Houston but waiting for that top 50 thing they have and where they think players could go.
Pivetta will be looking for a big pay day. He has been working for this. I would like to see him back in Boston, but is will depend on the years and cost.
He easily could have been 12-6 instead of 6-12. He has excellent stuff and a 1.12 WHIP. He takes the ball and competes every time..
He’s a good 3-4 starter at the least
I’m wondering what a fair offer to Pivetta would be. Maybe 3-4 years at $16-18M per year. It’s a tough call.
I’d give him a QO. Higher base rate, but better than locking in a #4 on a multi year deal.
That’s a great idea. It’s worth a try.
More band-aids to try and fix the real problem…owners who care more about profits than winning. SELL THE TEAM!
It’s just amazing how Edgar can simplify things and stop hitters from swinging out of their pants, where our previous coaches just handed players ipads and were like “good luck!” Those previous coaches should never have jobs in the majors again. Analytics can be good, but no hitter needs all the information you can get from analytical data. It’s up to the coaches to understand it and put it in a way for the players to understand. It’s also not a one size fits all system. You have to get down to an individual level and meet people where they’re at, and Edgar does a great job of doing that.
Sad – Fantastic post!!! So very true, you’ve got math guys who don’t know squat about baseball but their analytics-driven decisions are hurting the game in so many ways.
Too much information is never a good thing, and neither is misused information.
Why not just make Edgar the manager out in Seattle?