Lucas Giolito Could Haunt Red Sox By Signing With AL East Rival
Giolito enjoyed a bounce-back season with the Red Sox in 2025
Ex-Boston Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito could have several opportunities to face his former club in 2026 based on the latest intel from the New York Post’s Jon Heyman.
“Zac Gallen, who like (Framber) Valdez is good enough to have the draft-pick attachment via a qualifying offer, plus capable veterans Lucas Giolito, Chris Bassitt and Nick Martinez, 40-something legends Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer and many more should be readying for camps,” Heyman notes while running down the free-agent pitchers still on the market.
“The Orioles are linked to the best of the group, including Valdez, plus Gallen and Giolito, and seem destined to land one,” Heyman reports. “But the O’s are just one of a long roster of teams seeking starters. The Tigers, Diamondbacks, Padres and Braves are among the most active while the Yankees, Cubs, Giants, Angels, Jays, Rays, A’s, White Sox, Phillies and Marlins also seem to be looking around.”
Of the clubs possibly challenging the Orioles for Giolito, two received special attention from Heyman.
“The Braves, who work in quiet, are thought to be interested in Giolito or Bassitt,” Heyman writes.
“The Tigers have considered Giolito, who had a nice year in Boston,” Heyman adds.
The right-hander pitched 145 innings in 2025, which turned his 2026 contract into a mutual option. But Giolito, who went 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts, ran out of gas at the end of the season and missed the playoffs with an injury to his right elbow.
Giolito declined the player side of his mutual option after the season. Boston and the starting pitcher both would have needed to agree to exercise the $19 million option for 2026.
In addition, the Red Sox opted not to extend the one-year qualifying offer to Giolito in November.
Giolito signed with the Red Sox ahead of the 2024 season but ended up missing the year while recovering from elbow surgery.
Before joining Boston, Giolito previously pitched for the Washington Nationals, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians.
He was an All-Star in Chicago and finished in the top 11 for Cy Young Award voting three times.
