Red Sox remain interested in former White Sox free agent starter
Lucas Giolito split time between three teams last season.
The Red Sox haven’t added to their rotation like chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said when he was hired. Boston has been seemingly connected to every starter on the free agent market.
As free agency continues to move forward this winter, names are coming off the board and other teams have similar pitching needs to the Red Sox.
One free agent starter that remains connected to Boston is former White Sox starter Lucas Giolito, per league source.
The Red Sox are one of a few teams connected to Giolito and no deal is imminent for the right-hander, the source added.
The 29-year-old is coming off a down season where he posted an 8-15 record, 4.88 ERA, and 41 homers allowed (most in the American League and second most in baseball). Despite his numbers, he’s expected to land a multi-year deal in free agency.
Giolito offers durable and would be a much needed innings eater for the Red Sox. Last season, Brayan Bello led the team with 157 innings pitched.
After spending nearly six years with the White Sox, Giolito changed teams twice in the final two-plus months of the season. He was dealt with Reynaldo Lopez to the Angels in July before getting placed on waivers and then was snatched up by the Guardians for the final weeks of the season.
Giolito went 3-11 with a 6.07 ERA while allowing 2.4 homers per nine innings after the break. New pitching coach Andrew Bailey would be charged with correcting the long ball issue for Giolito.
While veteran starter was with the Angels, he was walloped by opposing hitters posting a 6.89 ERA in six starts.
Giolito does offer the ability to go deep into games, provides durability making 30-plus starts four times in his career, both of which the Red Sox rotation desperately needs and he provides upside due to his age.
MLB Trade Rumors predicted he would get a two-year, $44MM with an opt-out that lets him potentially return to free agency next winter to pursue a bigger deal.
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