The latest on Red Sox's SP search as Pivetta declines QO

MLB.com is keeping track of all the latest free-agent and trade rumors involving the Red Sox right here.

Nov. 19: Will Red Sox land elite starter to fill rotation vacancy left by Pivetta?
The Red Sox have reportedly made their pitch -- or at least an initial one -- to Juan Soto. They are apparently trying to convince some of the top starting pitchers on the market to come to Fenway, too.

ESPN's Jeff Passan said during Friday's edition of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast podcast that Boston has talked to Blake Snell and Max Fried.

The Red Sox may only get more aggressive in their pursuit of starting pitching help now that they know for sure that Nick Pivetta won't be accepting their qualifying offer.

Boston's starting staff tied for seventh-best in ERA this past season (3.81) and has three solid arms in the prime of their careers coming back next season: Brayan Bello, Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford. The club also expects to get Lucas Giolito back next year after he missed all of 2024 while recovering from right elbow surgery.

However, adding Snell or Fried would give the Red Sox two things their rotation lacked in 2024: a left-hander and a bona fide ace.

Nov 15: Soto has 'productive' 3-hour meeting with Red Sox (report)
The Red Sox met with Soto and his representatives, including agent Scott Boras, in Southern California on Thursday night, according to a report from Sean McAdam of MassLive. The meeting, which was of an introductory and informative nature, lasted for three hours and was deemed as “productive,” though neither money nor terms were discussed between the parties.

Soto was reportedly “impressed” by Boston’s presentation, which included a video noting the franchise’s history of star players from the Dominican Republic, Soto’s native country. The Red Sox also detailed their plans for the future, highlighting a promising group of prospects who could potentially team up with Soto to help the club be successful in the years to come. Soto is expected to continue to meet with more teams in Southern California over the next few days.

Nov. 12: Red Sox have Soto atop their 'want list'
The Red Sox are expected to meet with Juan Soto this week, per a report from ESPN's Jeff Passan (subscription required). He adds that Boston has Soto "at the top of its want list."

The Red Sox join the Mets, Yankees and Blue Jays as teams that have meetings scheduled with Soto -- Toronto's meeting will be first, according to Passan -- while teams such as the Dodgers and Rays have shown interest.

Passan expects Soto to sign with a team before the end of the year, and maybe even by the MLB Winter Meetings, which begin on Dec. 9. He writes that the Mets and Yankees are still the favorites to land the 26-year-old superstar.

Boston has other free agents in its sights besides Soto. Passan reports that the club is in on left-handed starter Max Fried and right-handed slugger Teoscar Hernández. The Red Sox would also like to bring back outfielder Tyler O'Neill and are interested in trading for White Sox ace Garrett Crochet.

Nov. 7: Are Red Sox the favorites to acquire Crochet?
The Red Sox have six position players on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list, including three in the top 10. They also have a few attractive pieces already at the big league level who are not yet eligible for arbitration. That group includes first baseman Triston Casas, catcher Connor Wong and Gold Glove outfielder Wilyer Abreu.

With so much high-quality position-player depth, "there’s a widespread sense that the Sox can trade for nearly anyone," according to The Boston Globe's Alex Speier (subscription required). Many starters could be options for the pitching-needy Red Sox, but one who stands out is White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet.

MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi said Thursday from the General Managers Meetings that the Red Sox are "the team I think a lot of people around here are looking at very carefully" regarding a Crochet trade.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Tuesday that there is more interest surrounding Crochet now than at this season's Trade Deadline and that Chicago is focused on adding position players in trades. As such, the Red Sox and White Sox seem like a good match to make a deal. Crochet, 25, is under club control for two more seasons.

But it's not a lock that Boston will add a notable starter via trade. Instead, it could get what it needs via free agency. According to The Boston Globe's Pete Abraham, the Red Sox have told multiple agents at the GM Meetings that they "plan to be active in the free-agent market."

Corbin Burnes, Jack Flaherty, Blake Snell and Max Fried are some of the top starting pitchers on the open market. But no matter how they do it, the Red Sox need to add a front-line starter this offseason.

Nov. 5: Red Sox extend qualifying offer to Pivetta, who has 'surprisingly strong' market
The Red Sox gave the qualifying offer to starting pitcher Nick Pivetta on Monday. The right-hander has until 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 19 to either accept or decline the one-year offer, which would pay him $21.05 million for the 2025 season. If Pivetta accepts, he returns to Boston on a one-year deal. If he declines, he can negotiate a free-agent deal with all teams, including the Red Sox.

By extending Pivetta a qualifying offer, the Red Sox ensured they will get a comp pick in the 2025 MLB Draft if he signs with another team. Pivetta, 31, was one of 13 MLB players to receive a qualifying offer on Monday. From 2012 (when the system was implemented) through 2023, only 13 of the 131 players who received a QO accepted it.

It's an "interesting decision" for Pivetta, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. Accepting the QO would represent quite a raise for the right-hander, who made $7.5 million this season. But there appear to be multiple teams interested the 31-year-old. Per MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi, Pivetta has a "surprisingly strong" market.

Although he turned in a 4.14 ERA this season, Pivetta's expected ERA was significantly better (3.59). Pivetta has also increased his strikeout numbers over the past two seasons and ranked among MLB's top 10 starting pitchers this year (minimum 140 innings pitched) in K-BB rate. His 22.9% mark sat sixth between Jack Flaherty and Logan Gilbert.