*Photo from WCVB*
After a bit of a wait, they have their first noteworthy signing. RHP Lucas Giolito has signed with the Boston Red Sox on a two year, $38.5 million contract, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Boston has confirmed the addition.
Last season, Giolito suited up for the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and Cleveland Guardians in a tumultuous season. He posted a 4.88 ERA, 5.27 FIP, and 1.313 WHIP, averaging 3.6 walks per 9 innings and 10 strikeouts per 9 over 184 1/3 innings and 33 starts between all 3 teams.
Giolito's contract pays him $18 million in 2024 with the ability to opt out after the first year. If he stays with Boston for the second year, there is a conditional team option for 2026 worth $14 million if he doesn't throw 140 innings. If he exceeds 140 innings, there will be a mutual option worth $19 million for 2026 with a $1.5 million buyout.
To start 2023, Giolito had a respectable 3.79 ERA in 21 starts with the White Sox, averaging 9.7 strikeouts per 9. He then posted a 6.89 ERA with the Angels and 7.04 mark with the Guardians in 6 starts for both teams, ending the year with 41 home runs allowed, leading the AL in that category.
From 2019 to 2021, Giolito received Cy Young votes in all 3 of those seasons, making the All Star Game in 2019 and throwing a no hitter in 2020. He finished 6th in Cy Young voting in 2019 after leading the majors in complete games with 3 and complete game shutouts with two.
Giolito has pitched for the White Sox, Angels, Guardians, and Washington Nationals since debuting in 2016. He has posted a 4.43 ERA, 4.44 FIP, and 1.254 WHIP in that time, throwing 5 complete games in 178 starts, two relief appearances, and 1,013 2/3 innings pitched. He has allowed 5 runs over 11 1/3 innings in the playoffs, spanning two starts.
One thing Giolito has always been able to do well is stay healthy and eat innings in the rotation. In each of the last 5 full seasons, he has exceeded 160 innings pitched and has had 4 seasons of at least 30 starts in his career. He'll look to help a Red Sox rotation that finished in the bottom 3rd of the league with a 4.68 ERA in 2023.
The Red Sox rotation is currently in flux, with Brayan Bello and Nick Pivetta as the only established starters alongside Giolito. Garrett Whitlock, Kutter Crawford, and Tanner Houck are also options for the rotation but have also pitched out of the bullpen in the majors and could end up back there.
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