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MLB Free Agency 2017: Five potential teams for Ivan Nova

By Parker Hurley

Sep 13, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova (46) pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova (46) pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 9, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Diego Padres third base coach Glenn Hoffman (30) greets first baseman Wil Myers (R) after Myers hit a solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 6-4.Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Diego Padres third base coach Glenn Hoffman (30) greets first baseman Wil Myers (R) after Myers hit a solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 6-4.Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

2. San Diego Padres

Signing Ivan Nova to a deal higher than some may have expected feels like a move the Padres would make. They are always going above and beyond to try to win now, and even with a young roster, they could be thinking the same thing in 2017.

They also could be thinking their pitching stinks as it is, why not? Tyson Ross is clearly the best pitcher on the team, but he is coming off of a season with five innings pitched. The rest of their projected rotation is a mix and match of fringe MLB talent and bottom of the rotation pitchers. Nova is a swing for the fences, but at least he has shown some ability to be an impact pitcher.

Aside from the Pirates being a fixer, the switch to the National League would have obviously helped Nova. On top of the lack of designated hitter, he went from Yankee Stadium, a home run heavy ballpark to PNC Park, one less prone to home runs. Petco Park is known for being a pitchers ballpark. Nova’s home run rate was a huge factor in his recent success and there is a chance that Nova could take advantage even more with the Padres.

The Padres need someone to come in and take these innings and to go into the season with these pitchers would be a surrender. To add Nova seems like a good fit for both sides.

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