The San Diego Padres and Nick Pivetta have agreed to a four-year deal just before spring training. The Padres, who are believed to be cutting their payroll, have signed Pivetta for $55 million. Pivetta will also have a couple of opt-outs as a part of his contract.
The Padres have placed Dylan Cease on the trading block and have probably acquired Pivetta as a backup pitcher. The righty declined his $21 million qualifying offer from the Boston Red Sox. Pivetta was keen on testing the free-agent market and successfully secured a deal.
MLB insider Jeff Passan was one of the first to report the news. Some Padres fans are happy with the latest signing, while some are not pleased. MLB fans took to social media to troll the team for signing Nick Pivetta.
BREAKING: Right-hander Nick Pivetta and the San Diego Padres are in agreement on a four-year, $55 million contract that includes a pair of opt-outs, pending physical, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 13, 2025
Here’s a look at some fan reactions on X.
“Dodgers are going to set home run records against this guy,” one fan wrote.
BREAKING: Right-hander Nick Pivetta and the San Diego Padres are in agreement on a four-year, $55 million contract that includes a pair of opt-outs, pending physical, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 13, 2025
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“Wow. This dude was 6-12 last year,” another fan responded.
Wow. This dude was 6-12 last year
— Enrique (@Evaldez1986) February 13, 2025
“LMAOOOOOOOO TYPICAL PADRES,” another fan chipped in.
LMAOOOOOOOO TYPICAL PADRES
— Big Baseball Fan23⚾️🏒 (@Baseball4Ever99) February 13, 2025
“Oh my god this is so bad lmao,” one fan responded.
Oh my god this is so bad lmao
— JC (@jcwrld05) February 13, 2025
You know Padres are cooked when signing Nick Pavetta is a big deal to them and he wouldn’t even make the Dodgers 6 man rotation.
— TheKARRATeKid 🥕🐰⭕️ (@TheKARRATeKid) February 13, 2025
Padres are so stupid 😭😭😭
— Unbiased Red Sox Fan (@unbiasedsoxfan) February 13, 2025
How you gonna spend this much on Pivetta and say you tryna cut spending
— Jayme Tucker (@indicadominant7) February 13, 2025
HOLY OVER PAY 😭😭😭😭
— 🍻🍻🍻 (@DodgersEndedMe) February 13, 2025
Breaking Down Nick Pivetta’s Contract With The Padres
Pivetta seemed to have secured a great deal with the Padres for the next four years. The pitcher has the opportunity to prove his worth and also take the opt-out if necessary. The pitcher will also get a $3 million signing bonus but only earn $ 1 million this season.
The Padres have spread Pivetta’s contract from 2026 to 2028. Pivetta will get $19 million in 2026, $14 million in 2027, and $18 million in 2028. Despite his huge contract, Nick Pivetta struggled to make ends meet in 2024.
The pitcher finished with a 6-12 record and a 4.14 ERA. If the Padres trade Cease, the pressure will mound on Pivetta to step up for his team. The Padres are trying to push Cease to an AL East team.
