For Bloom, he was an absolute steal, an unexpected gem.

Friday night’s 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays may have been Pivetta’s final game for the Sox. The right-hander will be a free agent after the World Series and there is no guarantee he will return.

The qualifying offer, valued at $21.2 million, is too much for an average league starter, even for just one year. Pivetta has done enough to deserve a multi-year deal, but the Sox may not want to go there with all the other needs and moving parts they have.

But replacing him won’t be easy. As of 2021, Pivetta leads Sox pitchers in games (131), starts (107), innings (633) and strikeouts (718). Durability has great value.

Overall, he is 37-41 with a 4.29 ERA with the Sox.

“He loves to compete. He posted,” manager Alex Cora said before the game. “The guy shows himself to be willing to work and compete every day. If I asked him, ‘Are you available for Sunday?’ He would say yes.”

“It means a lot; It means a lot to the manager. I am very grateful.”

One of Pivetta’s best moments came as a catalyst in Game 162 of the 2021 season, when he made a save in a 7-5 win over the Nationals in Washington, clinching a playoff spot.

Pivetta hit Juan Soto in three throws to end the game and ran screaming from the mound.

“It’s about never giving in, never giving up,” Pivetta said that day.

That was his career. Pivetta was not on Philadelphia’s major league roster when the Sox traded him. Since then, he has earned $15.5 million and established himself as a major league player.

“Lots of memories, lots to be thankful for,” he said.

Pivetta pitched well again Friday, leaving the game in the seventh inning with a 1-0 lead after throwing 100 pitches.

After Cora knocked out Pivetta, the wise crowd of 33,694 at Fenway Park saluted him. In response, Pivetta tipped his cap.

“I appreciate them, and I appreciate that every night they show up, they come out in full force and cheer us on and have a positive attitude,” he said. “I know it can be hard sometimes.”

It definitely is. Pivetta was charged with another run when rookie Zach Penrod walked two batters and struck out another to force a second run.

Pivetta called it a “strong” four seasons with the Sox. That’s a word for it.

He arrived at the height of the pandemic, was a key member of a team that reached the ALCS a year later and then played for three teams that didn’t make the playoffs.

“I would consider myself a completely different pitcher,” he said. “I think the tremendous development that I’ve experienced over the four years – thanks to the teammates, the coaches, the training staff, just the entire organization – has somehow helped me to follow my path.”

At 31, Pivetta feels like he hasn’t reached his limits yet.

“There’s a lot more,” he said.

When dealing with the media, Pivetta is usually short and succinct, if not even grumpy. But this time he was thoughtful and admitted he hopes to stay with the Sox.

“Boston has become a real home for me and my wife Kristen and we really enjoy it here. We felt very comfortable,” he said. “Of course that would always concern me.”

For this season the work is done. Pivetta wants to enjoy the time with his teammates for two more days and then see where this path takes him.

Bloom threw him a life preserver in 2020. Now he can make decisions.

Peter Abraham can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @PeteAbe.