.jpg)
1 hour ago
2
The Boston Red Sox made sure their rotation depth was stacked this offseason, but they still haven’t committed a starter to the fifth spot in it. While they could go with one of their many in-house options, there’s a chance they surprise everyone and get another starter in free agency.
FanSided’s Austin Owens believes they may do this, and could reunite with one of their star pitchers from last season in Lucas Giolito. Giolito is still on the market with only weeks to Opening Day, and he did well with Boston and knows their organization.
MORE: Cubs predicted to sign $2.1 million 16 HR slugger to back up Michael Busch, Moises Ballesteros
“Perhaps the most obvious landing spot for Giolito is to return to the Boston Red Sox. The only road block here is that Giolito is not used to being at the bottom of the rotation and that is almost certainly where he would be with solid options like Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suarez, Sonny Gray and Brayan Bello already on the big league roster. This does leave one more spot in the rotation for the Red Sox to fill but Giolito will likely be looking for a bigger role and ultimately a bigger paycheck than what Boston would be willing to give him. This is something to keep an eye on in the next couple of weeks. If Giolito gets to a point where he feels like he has to settle to get a big league gig, we could very well see him return to Boston,” Owens wrote.
This past season, Giolito posted a 10-4 record, a 3.41 ERA, 121 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.290 over 145 innings pitched. He was a solid pitcher for the Sox, and could do even better at the end of the rotation.
MORE: Blue Jays predicted to sign $6.7 million 12-year MLB veteran to create platoon with Jesus Sanchez
Giolito’s market value calls for a three-year $61 million contract, but like Owens stated, he will definitely have to settle for something less ideal. His projections are what’s keeping him from signing with a team, as Owens noted that Giolito is projected to have a 4.00 ERA in 2026.
Getting Giolito back could work for the Sox, but with the amount of talented arms they already have vying for that fifth spot, it just doesn’t make sense for them to bring Giolito back.
MORE MLB NEWS
English (US)