The Boston Red Sox had their first true consequential development of the offseason Tuesday.

Nick Pivetta declined his qualifying offer for one year and $21.05 million to reach free agency. That move from Boston to extend the offer just earned the Red Sox draft compensation if Pivetta does indeed sign with another team this offseason.

That would leave the Red Sox in search of another starter to fill Pivetta’s spot in the starting rotation. This winter, there’s several arms that could offer a quality fit of that caliber for Boston.

Either way, the Red Sox need to pursue an ace to lead the rotation and sound ready to do so. For now, let’s make that a separate conversation.

There’s a trio of mid-tier starters that can replace Pivetta’s production with the Red Sox that would all bring upside to Boston.

NATHAN EOVALDI
We already gave all the reasons why the Red Sox should pursue a reunion with the 2018 World Series hero.

He’s still effective even as he ages into his mid-30s. He won another championship and pitched productive seasons with the Texas Rangers. He’s not going to be the ace should he return to the Red Sox, nor should the franchise expect that.

What he can do is bridge young arms in the middle of the rotation and post regularly with his veteran durability that allowed him to succeed across parts of five seasons in his first stint with the Red Sox.

SHANE BIEBER
This signing may be slightly redundant, given that the Red Sox already have one former AL Central ace trying to get right with Boston in Lucas Giolito after an injury-shortened season that never got off the ground in 2024.

Bieber, the 2020 American League Cy Young award winner with the Cleveland Guardians, hits free agency after undergoing Tommy John surgery. That may push the start of his season back in 2025, though the upside is obvious.

Bieber is among the game’s best starters when he’s healthy and doesn’t even turn 30 years old until the end of May. His health should present the Red Sox the chance to strike on a short-term revival deal for the former Cleveland ace. This may be the best path to a potential Pivetta replacement.

LUIS SEVERINO
Severino has plenty of experience in a big market in the AL East.

The right-hander flipped to another borough in 2024 with the New York Mets where he tallied 182 innings with a 3.91 ERA and a 4.21. It’s a fine season, though the Red Sox may have areas to unlock with Severino.

His best abilities last season came in attacking with his fastball and generating weak contact. Andrew Bailey has instilled a heavier breaking ball diet among the Boston rotation, though his work with Severino would be intriguing regardless.