Report: AL Contender ‘Talking To’ Free-Agent Pitcher Lucas Giolito

The Detroit Tigers already signed former Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen this offseason and now are reportedly in contact with another recent Boston hurler.

According to a report by Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Tigers have been “talking to” right-handed starting pitcher Lucas Giolito.

The 31-year-old signed with the Red Sox in January 2024, missed that entire season due to an elbow injury and went 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 121 strikeouts across 145 innings pitched (26 starts) during the 2025 campaign.

“The Detroit Tigers continue to explore the starting-pitching market, talking to free-agent right-handers Lucas Giolito and Chris Bassitt, among others, according to a person briefed on their conversations,” Saturday’s report said. “The potential for an addition might be less likely if they lose their arbitration case with left-hander Tarik Skubal and end up paying him $32 million instead of $19 million.”

The New York Yankees have also been linked to Giolito.

Rosenthal’s and Sammon’s report explained how a deal with the Tigers or Yankees would be a reunion of sorts for the one-time All-Star.

“If Giolito goes to Detroit, he would reunite with one of his former teammates at Harvard-Westlake High in Los Angeles, right-hander Jack Flaherty,” the report said. “If he signs with the New York Yankees, another team in need of starting pitching, he would reunite with another, lefty Max Fried.”