Cerrone Battle and John Tomase discuss why it might be time for John Henry to consider selling the team
The Boston Red Sox reportedly made their first significant splash of the offseason on Friday.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Red Sox signed free-agent right-hander Lucas Giolito to a two-year contract worth $38.5 million. The deal includes an opt-out after the 2024 season.
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Giolito has flashed Cy Young upside at points in his eight-year MLB career. The 29-year-old placed sixth in the award balloting after his All-Star 2019 campaign and seventh in 2020.
His last couple of seasons, however, have been a different story. Giolito posted a 4.90 ERA, 4.06 FIP, and 1.435 WHIP through 30 starts with the Chicago White Sox in 2022. He followed that up with a 4.88 ERA, 5.27 FIP, and 1.31 WHIP in 33 starts made between the White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and Cleveland Guardians in 2023.
While there are obvious question marks, Giolito is an intriguing bounce-back candidate and a legitimate upgrade to Boston's lackluster starting rotation. The Red Sox entered the offseason in dire need of front-end starters and already have missed out on top free-agent pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Los Angeles Dodgers), Aaron Nola (Philadelphia Phillies), and Sonny Gray (St. Louis Cardinals). Giolito was among the top options remaining on the market.
Giolito will join a Red Sox rotation that currently includes Chris Sale, Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, and Tanner Houck. Garrett Whitlock and Nick Pivetta also are candidates to start games in 2024.
