Nick Pivetta signing $55 million contract with Padres comes with Dylan Cease intrigue

The Padres added right-hander Nick Pivetta to their stable of pitchers on Thursday night, The Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed.Pivetta signed with San Diego on a four-year, $55 million deal after spending parts of the last five seasons in Boston. The deal comes with a pair of opt-outs, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.The opt-outs come after years two and three of the deal.He’ll also receive a $3 million signing bonus. Pivetta will be paid $1 million in 2025 and then $19 million in 2026, $14 million in 2027 and $18 million in the final year of the deal. Pivetta threw 145 2/3 innings across 27 appearances — 26 of which were starts — and posted a 4.14 ERA with 172 strikeouts in his final season with the Red Sox. The right-hander has been one of the most reliable pitchers in the league over the past four seasons, averaging 156 innings and holding a 4.33 ERA. With the Padres signing Pivetta, the Red Sox will now be entitled to a Comp.

Round B selection (No.77 overall) in the 2025 Draft.San Diego will fork over its second-highest draft pick and $500,000 from its international bonus pool.But the question now becomes how the signing will impact the status of Padres pitcher Dylan Cease, a potential Mets trade target. Cease is back on the trade block for the second year in a row and entering the final year of his contract this season. Last weekend, the righty told MLB.com that his preference was to remain with the Padres. “I love San Diego,” Cease said.

“I love it here, and I would definitely love to stay here.”If Cease does not get dealt, it’s expected that Pivetta will be behind Cease, Yu Darvish and Michael King in a strong rotation....