Ex-Red Sox Right-Hander Predicted To Land With Nationals
He had a very solid 2025.
Lucas Giolito’s free agency has seen limited buzz despite his solid surface numbers last year, leaving room for creative speculation on his next stop.
Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer suggested the Washington Nationals as a fitting, surprise destination.
“There hasn’t been a lot of reported interest in Lucas Giolito this winter, which would be surprising if his 3.41 ERA from last year wasn’t such an obvious mirage,” Rymer wrote on Monday.
“Giolito really didn’t fool many batters in 2025, as his strikeout rate and contact quality metrics were firmly below average. His expected ERA was 5.06, putting him roughly in Chris Paddack territory. You have to wonder if Giolito’s free agency will end with contenders bypassing him, leaving him to seek a deal with a club that views him as a future trade chip—and for this, the Nationals would be perfect.”
“They’re Giolito’s original club, and he’s connected to president of baseball operations Paul Toboni from their time in Boston,” Rymer continued. “And with MacKenzie Gore now in Texas, there is an opening in the Nats’ rotation.”
Over his career since debuting with the Nationals in 2016, Giolito has a 4.38 ERA across teams including the White Sox (where he had his breakout), Angels, Guardians, and Red Sox, with an All-Star appearance and a no-hitter to his credit.
