Two weeks into the 2026 season, Lucas Giolito oddly remains a free agent.

The veteran starting pitcher is still seeking a new home despite posting a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts for the Boston Red Sox last season. Giolito provided some insight into the strange situation during an appearance on the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast.

“The last few months have been very strange to where talks seem like they’re heating up,” Giolito said. “And then it’s like, OK, never mind. I just want to play for close to what my value is.”

Giolito noted that MLB teams and agents all use projection models to gauge a player’s worth. It sounds like organizations aren’t willing to meet Giolito’s asking price, and he’s not settling for significantly less than he feels he deserves.

“Give me something that’s relatively close to that, and let’s go and get it,” Giolito said.

With the season underway, Giolito is maintaining a regimented throwing program to stay ready. The right-hander doesn’t think he’d require a lengthy ramp-up period after signing and would jump right into a big league rotation if needed.

“When I get the opportunity, it’s like, all right, cool. Do you want me to throw a game in Triple-A to get ready, or do you want to put me right in for five innings? Like, I’ll do whatever,” Giolito said. “I’m happy to do whatever once I get an opportunity to help a team.”

A restocked Red Sox rotation has no room for Giolito after acquiring Ranger Suarez and Sonny Gray. However, plenty of teams can already use another starter.

The Atlanta Braves lost Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach before Opening Day, and the Chicago Cubs now pose a logical landing spot after recently placing Matthew Boyd and Cade Horton on the injured list.

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