San Diego has announced a significant four-year, $55 million contract with pitcher Nick Pivetta, which includes unique provisions that could allow the team to opt-out after just two seasons. These provisions come into play in the event that Pivetta sustains a particular long-term injury. However, there is also an opportunity for the Padres to extend the contract for an additional fifth year at a modest cost of $5 million, depending on specific conditions being met.
The deal, which was confirmed on Monday, grants Pivetta a $3 million signing bonus along with salaries set at $1 million for this year and $19 million slated for 2026.
Within the complex structure of the contract, there is a conditional team option worth $14 million for the year 2027. San Diego can activate this option if Pivetta suffers a qualifying injury or requires related surgery and finds himself on the injured list for over 130 consecutive days at any point through the 2026 season or within a single year period during that timeframe.
Last season, Pivetta spent time on the injured list between April 6 and May 8 due to a strain in his right elbow flexor. If the Padres choose not to exercise the 2027 option owing to his condition, the contract would terminate after just two years, leaving Pivetta free to explore options in the free-agent market after earning $23 million.
Should the team option conditions not be applicable—implying no long-term injury layoff—Pivetta would still hold a $14 million option for the year 2027 that he could choose to invoke. Additionally, if he opts for the 2027 option, he would gain the ability to select a player option for $18 million in 2028.
Furthermore, there is a conditional option for 2029 that San Diego may exercise at the $5 million level, contingent upon Pivetta enduring the specified injury and spending over 130 consecutive days on the injured list from July 1, 2026, to the 2028 season.
In the previous season, Pivetta recorded a 6-12 win-loss record with an ERA of 4.14 while making 26 starts and one relief outing for the Boston Red Sox. He subsequently declined a qualifying offer worth $21.05 million from the team. At 32 years old, Pivetta has tallied a career record of 56-71 with a 4.76 ERA over eight seasons in Major League Baseball, having played for both the Philadelphia Phillies and the Red Sox, the latter of whom acquired him via trade in August 2020.
As part of the contract agreement, Pivetta is also entitled to a hotel suite during road games, adding further perks to his new deal.
