Braves' potential 'pivot target' after Jeff Hoffman could be $60 million Red Sox star

The Atlanta Braves' pitching staff is already guaranteed to look a lot different this year than it did in 2024.

Several staples of the Braves' staff for the last few seasons--Max Fried, Charlie Morton, and A.J. Minter among them--have departed in free agency. And though they did try to make one signing, the Braves have so far done nothing to replace them.

Earlier in January, the Braves had a pending agreement with former Philadelphia Phillies All-Star Jeff Hoffman, but backed out when they flagged a shoulder issue in his physical. Hoffman subsequently signed a three-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Though Hoffman is off the market, the Braves could still target some valuable arms in free agency.

On Friday, Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer named former Boston Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta as a potential "wish list" target for the Braves before the season begins.

"The Braves reportedly had a deal with Jeff Hoffman, only to walk away from it after noticing a shoulder issue in his physical," Rymer wrote. "Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, he might have initially been used as a starter before being moved to the pen in the latter half of his deal."

"If it's a swingman the Braves want, potential pivot targets include Nick Pivetta." 

Pivetta, who will be 32 this season, has been inconsistent throughout his eight-year career, posting a 4.76 overall ERA. But he showcased flashes of brilliance in Boston over the last two seasons, with high strikeout totals despite far too many home runs allowed.

The issue will be the specifics of the contract. Pivetta's free-agent projection (via Spotrac) is four years, $60 million. Even if he doesn't get anywhere near that amount, the Braves would have to forfeit their first-round draft pick to sign him, thanks to the qualifying offer he rejected.

If the Braves can tap into the raw stuff Pivetta has, he could be the steal of the winter. And it's the Braves we're talking about, so that already feels like a safe bet.

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