Pirates, Nova finalize 3-year deal
Ivan Nova has a home for the next three seasons.
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Tuesday the signing of the 29-year-old right-hander to a three-year deal, reportedly valued at $26 million.
"We are pleased to have been able to reach agreement with Ivan Nova to have him remain a Pirate," general manager Neal Huntington said in a press release. "Ivan pitched well with us the final two months of the season and we look forward to him being a key part of our rotation as we work to return to the postseason."
Nova came over to the Pirates in an August trade with the New York Yankees and went on to post a 5-2 record with a 3.06 ERA in 11 starts under pitching coach Ray Searage, who has a reputation for turning around struggling pitchers.
Prior to his arrival in the Steel City, Nova's ERA was an unsightly 8.27, 5.07, and 4.90 between 2014-16, respectively, but the change of scenario has worked out well for the Dominican.
As it stands, Nova will likely slot in behind Gerrit Cole in the Pirates starting rotation, although Huntington hinted Tuesday he's open to more moves, according to TribLive.com's Rob Biertempfel.
"We like the group as is. But if there is way to improve it, we'll certainly be open to that," Huntington said of the team's starting rotation.
Nova believes the rotation is already good enough to win, but would be OK with more additions as well, according to Biertempfel.
Pirates projected rotation for 2017
| PITCHER | GS | IP | W-L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerrit Cole | 21 | 116 | 7-10 | 3.88 | 98 |
| Ivan Nova | 26 | 162 | 12-8 | 4.17 | 127 |
| Jameson Taillon | 18 | 104 | 5-4 | 3.38 | 85 |
| Chad Kuhl | 14 | 70.2 | 5-4 | 4.20 | 53 |
| Steven Brault | 7 | 33.1 | 0-3 | 4.86 | 29 |
Over his seven-year big-league career, Nova owns a 58-41 record with a 4.30 ERA across 142 appearances, 129 of which have been starts.