Ivan Nova Traded to White Sox; Pirates Receive Yordi Rosario and More

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced they traded starting pitcher Ivan Nova to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Yordi Rosario and international slot money on Tuesday.

Ken Rosenthal and Robert Murray of The Athletic first reported the deal.

Nova posted a 4.19 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 114 strikeouts in 161 innings across 29 starts for the Pirates in 2018. He owns a 4.26 career ERA in nine years with Pittsburgh and the New York Yankees.

In March, the 31-year-old right-hander said he wanted to remain with the organization despite the blockbuster trades of outfielder Andrew McCutchen and starting pitcher Gerrit Cole last offseason.

"I said it when I signed here, and I still feel this way: This is [the] place I want to be," Nova told reporters. "I love playing for the Pirates."

Instead, he'll hope to help lead a turnaround in Chicago after the White Sox, who last qualified for the MLB playoffs in 2008, posted their first 100-loss campaign since 1970.

Nova will join a high-upside rotation led by Carlos Rodon, Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez to open 2019. It also marks the last year of his contract as he'll make $9.2 million before potentially becoming a free agent next winter.

Meanwhile, his departure from Pittsburgh could open a full-time rotation spot for Nick Kingham, who showed promise with 69 strikeouts in 76 innings as a rookie while splitting time as a starter and reliever.