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The St. Louis Cardinals are expected to seek a veteran starting pitcher this winter, and one name with a direct link to Chaim Bloom should be at the top of their list: Nick Pivetta, most recently with the San Diego Padres.
Bloom's association with Pivetta dates back to their shared tenure with the Boston Red Sox. When Boston acquired Pivetta from the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020, Bloom was in his first season as the Red Sox's chief baseball officer, having been hired after the 2019 season to replace Dave Dombrowski. During his time in Boston, Pivetta showed flashes of elite potential but never fully harnessed it. He departed the organization before the 2025 season and subsequently enjoyed a breakout campaign with the Padres.
In 2025, Pivetta posted a 2.87 ERA over 31 starts and 181 2/3 innings, establishing himself as a front-of-the-rotation arm when healthy. However, his 2026 season was derailed by injuries; he made only eight starts, though he recorded a 2.86 ERA in 34 2/3 innings. Encouragingly, he was healthy by the end of the season, but the Padres declined his option, sending him to free agency.
Now 33, Pivetta is likely to accept a short-term "pillow" contract following his injury-plagued 2026 season. The Cardinals should seize the opportunity. Pursuing Pivetta would mirror last offseason's approach with Dustin May, though Pivetta offers greater upside. His 2025 season was elite, and he was highly effective in 2026 when on the mound.
Key Analysis
St. Louis has demonstrated a strong ability to keep pitchers healthy, which could help Pivetta return to his 2025 form. His connection to Bloom and likely modest price tag make him an attractive target. If the Cardinals can sign him and he rediscovers his top form, they would gain a No. 1 starter in the short term. Furthermore, if the team falls out of playoff contention by summer, a healthy Pivetta could fetch a larger return at the trade deadline than May did. While Pivetta may cost more than alternatives like May or Shane Bieber, his potential makes him a worthwhile investment for St. Louis.