With pitchers and catchers set to report for spring training in the next week or two, some remaining free agents will likely find new homes soon, including former Boston Red Sox hurler Lucas Giolito.
After missing the entire 2024 season due to injury, Giolito returned last season and had a bounce-back season for the Red Sox, going 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 26 starts. The former All-Star parted ways with Boston this offseason, as the club chose not to extend Giolito a qualifying offer after the veteran hurler declined the player side of his mutual option.
Giolito’s late-season injury, which kept him out of the playoffs, likely has played a role in his slow free agency market. As the season grows closer, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that the Baltimore Orioles could look to add Giolito after whiffing on signing Framber Valdez.
“They seem determined to add another frontline pitcher, and with Framber Valdez gone to the Tigers, Zac Gallen could top their list, followed by Lucas Giolito, Chris Bassitt and others,” Heyman wrote Thursday.
“They’d been in the mix for Valdez for nearly three months now in a failed dance reminiscent of Toronto’s ultimately unsuccessful tango with Kyle Tucker. The Orioles, already one of the biggest winter winners with Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward, Shane Baz, Ryan Helsley and Andrew Kittredge all coming, clearly aren’t done.”
Baltimore has been one of the most active teams this offseason, bolstering its roster with multiple major moves. Bringing in Giolito would further improve the Orioles’ starting rotation, which struggled with stability last season, as they eye a return to the postseason.
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