Pittsburgh Pirates: Should They Re-sign Ivan Nova?
By Jason Evans
After acquiring him from the New York Yankees, Ivan Nova has been dominant for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Should they re-sign the pending free agent?
The Pittsburgh Pirates are finishing this season with a whimper rather than a bang. A ton of injuries and drop off in performance of stars like Andrew McCutchen have really hurt this squad. Before the trade deadline, the Pirates made a slew of trades including picking up starter Ivan Nova from the Yankees after they dealt away Francisco Liriano.
Nova has been dominant for the Pirates. He is 5-0 with a 2.53 ERA in seven starts, including two complete games. Nova hadn’t completed a game since 2013.
Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage may not have been able to save Jon Niese, but he has done excellent work with Nova.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Nova has only walked two in 46 innings with the Pirates. One of the adjustments he has made since joining the Pirates is less use of his sinker and more fastballs and curves per Brooks Baseball.
Searage talked about some of the changes he’s made in Nova’s mechanics since he arrive in Pittsburgh.
"“Little stuff,” Searage said. “We’ve told him to keep his chin down, so he’s more direct to the plate. His delivery is so smooth, and it comes out of his hand at 94 mph. He’s got great stuff.”"
If Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow can all stay healthy, the Pirates have the makings of a dynamic pitching staff. Add in Nova and they can really be strong with their first four starters in 2017.
Next: Strasburg out for post-season?
With the way he has pitched, there is no reason that the Pirates shouldn’t do their best to keep Nova. The starting pitching free agent market is not good, however. Will other teams spend big and take a chance on the soon-to-be 30 year old? I can’t see a ton of teams willing to spend a ton on him.
J.A. Happ turned his dominant half year into a three year deal in free agency and I can see Nova getting a similar type of deal.
With money coming off the books, the Pirates should look to invest some of that in Nova.