BREAKING: Lucas Giolito Makes His Free Agent Decision

After two very subpar seasons, but with a history of several years of being in the Cy Young conversation, starting pitcher Lucas Giolito has been able to secure nearly $40 million in free agency, coming to an agreement on Friday with the Boston Red Sox.

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

It’s a two-year, $38.5 million deal that includes an opt-out for Giolito after the first season. If he has a good year and ops out, he’ll be able to hit free agency again at the age of 30. 

Giolito is bound to provide plenty of innings and strikeouts for the BoSox, but he also is coming off back-to-back years with ERAs of 4.90 and 4.88, while allowing a league-worst 41 home runs in 2023. in fact, after being dealt by the White Sox mid-season, he combined to go to 2-9 with an ERA over 7.00 with the Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians.

On the other hand, he’s only two years removed from getting Cy Young votes in three consecutive seasons with the Chicago White Sox.

It’ll be intriguing to see which version of Giolito the Red Sox wind up with.

 Photo: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports