The Boston Red Sox have landed their first big free agent of the offseason.
In somewhat of a surprise, it’s not Teoscar Hernández.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Friday afternoon the Red Sox have signed former Chicago White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito. The deal is reportedly for two years and $38.5 million, with an opt-out after the first season.
BREAKING: Right-hander Lucas Giolito and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a two-year, $38.5 million contract that includes an opt-out after the first season, sources tell ESPN.
Boston lands its first big signing of the winter. The question now is: Will there be more?
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 29, 2023
The Red Sox need multiple starters, and the 29-year-old Giolito is a solid if unspectacular addition with some upside. He posted a 4.88 ERA (5.27 FIP) with a 1.313 WHIP last season, although those numbers might be misleading. He had a good start to the year with the White Sox (3.79 ERA in 21 starts) before finishing out the year with stints for the Cleveland Guardians and Los Angeles Angels.
The Red Sox are undoubtedly hoping Giolito more closely resembles the pitcher who earned Cy Young Award votes from 2019 through 2021.
The signing caught some by surprise given the rumors the past couple of days that had the Red Sox close to a deal with slugging outfielder Hernández. That deal is reportedly close, although the two sides are apparently haggling over a fourth year in the deal.
MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo had reported earlier Friday that agents had told him the Red Sox were acting like a “small-market team,” in free agent negotiations this offseason. That had led some fans to question whether the team was committed to going after the starters it needs.
Fans were mixed on whether the Giolito signing is a good move for Boston.
Just a little more context to Lucas Giolito’s 2023 season:
First 18 starts:
105.1 IP – 3.50 ERA/4.13 FIP – 9.6 K/9 – 2.7 BB/9 – 1.4 HR/9 – .229 BAAFinal 15 starts:
79 IP – 6.72 ERA/6.79 FIP – 10.5 K/9 – 4.8 BB/9 – 2.9 HR/9 – .248 BAAWent through a divorce in the middle of… pic.twitter.com/0IGkmsbe7Q
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) December 29, 2023
"I like this signing for the Red Sox… he's an innings guy and there's an upside to Giolito."#MLBTonight reacts to the reported deal between RHP Lucas Giolito and the Red Sox. pic.twitter.com/BKetUJxUpp
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 29, 2023
This is 3rd/4th starter AAV in todays MLB economy by the way for those of you freaking out that this is an over pay. & only 2 years. Good deal.
— Shelfy (@RealShelfy) December 29, 2023
If Giolito was a third starter this would be fair but he’s a reclamation project. The Gurdians and the Angels both cut him last year. If the Red Sox can’t get him to preform at at LEAST a 4ths tarter level it’s an overpay. And they don’t have anyone else to fall back on.
— Ezra Roberts (@ezraroberts98) December 29, 2023
What’s the alternative though? Minor leaguers? Very least he’s gonna log 160-170 innings. Even with a bad ERA this is how much teams pay for that kind of workload. I don’t think there is a such thing as an over pay on 1-2 year deals when you need pitching.
— Shelfy (@RealShelfy) December 29, 2023
I think the reason Red Sox fans are frustrated is that we were told that the front office would be going “all out” this offseason
And so far this is all we have
— Free Agent GM (@garber19) December 29, 2023
[Jeff Passan, ESPN]
