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Aaron Civale enters the market as one of those pitchers front offices know well, dependable enough to take the ball every fifth day, steady when his command is right and affordable compared to the bigger names in this class.
His 2025 season wasn’t perfect, but it showed his core identity hasn’t changed: he can give a team 5-6 innings, limit damage when he’s mixing pitches well and stabilize the middle of a rotation.
Civale threw over 100 innings across multiple stops this year, finishing with the Cubs after bouncing through a rough first half that never quite let him settle into a rhythm.
At 30, he’s in that stage where teams value him not for upside but for predictability; someone who can protect bullpens, handle soft-contact lineups and keep a team competitive. And these three teams fit him perfectly.
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#1. Boston Red Sox
Boston needs innings, and Civale gives them exactly that without requiring a heavy investment.
The Red Sox spent much of 2025 trying to patch their rotation with call-ups, openers, and short outings and Civale offers something they lacked, a starter who keeps games manageable.
Fenway can be tough on pitchers, but Civale’s pitch-to-contact style actually works when paired with improved defense and smarter positioning.
For Civale, it’s a chance to rebuild rhythm in a rotation that desperately needs stability.
#2. San Diego Padres
Petco Park gives pitchers like Civale room to breathe. His game relies on soft contact, sequencing, and avoiding the one big inning, all things that play better in a ballpark that suppresses home runs.
The Padres need affordable rotation depth, especially with injuries and innings limits hanging over their staff.
Civale doesn’t need to be a top-three starter here; he just needs to keep the ball down, get grounders and hand the rest to a strong bullpen.
San Diego has a history of extracting value from mid-level starters and Civale’s style matches their pitching philosophy perfectly.
#3. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals have built a reputation for taking mid-tier starters and turning them into reliable rotation pieces, thanks to strong defense and a coaching group focused on command and pitch design.
Busch Stadium is forgiving for pitchers who don’t overpower hitters, which is exactly Civale’s profile. St. Louis doesn’t need flash; they need someone who can throw strikes, avoid unnecessary walks and reset their rotation floor.
Civale fits as a one- or two-year signing, providing the Cardinals with predictable innings while younger starters develop.
