Despite hiccup, Nova boasts formidable resume

CINCINNATI — The similarities between last year’s J.A. Happ and this year’s Ivan Nova can be found in manager Clint Hurdle’s mailbox. After the Pirates acquired Happ last July, and again after the Bucs got Nova on Aug. 1, the range of responses typically came back to one question: “Really?”

The tone of the messages quickly turned from doubtful to demanding with Happ, and again with Nova: “You better sign him.” The Pirates weren’t able to retain Happ, but they hope to re-sign Nova, who had been sensational in the second half before a three-inning clunker in a 7-4 loss to the Reds on Sunday.

Nova will be a free agent at the end of the season. The Pirates will have room for a veteran starter in their rotation in 2017. Like Happ last year, Nova seems like a fit — and the comparisons have been impossible for general manager Neal Huntington to escape.

“If it were up to us, he’d be back here. I’m sure if it were up to him, he’d have a massive contract,” Huntington said. “Now, we’ve got to find somewhere in the middle ground, and does it make sense? We’ve got to find financial middle …

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