Ivan Nova

Beginning his second full season with the Pirates, I snapped this image of Ivan Nova at bat during Wednesday's game against the Rays in Bradenton.
With Gerrit Cole now an Astro, the big righthander, 11 - 14 a year ago, has become the Pirates de facto ace. Manager Clint Hurdle has already named him the team's opening day starter.
But will he finish the season in Pittsburgh? Now 31, Nova looks more like a mid-summer trade chip, a seasoned veteran who could land the rebuilding Bucs a good prospect or two from a contending team seeking to bolster its rotation. He's certainly affordable -- making a relatively modest $8.5 million annually through 2019.

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