Dodgers Predicted to Sign Former All-Star Pitcher in Free Agency
The Dodgers have made quite the splash so far this offseason. After signing Shohei Ohtani to end the biggest free-agent pursuit in baseball history, they traded for Tampa Bay Rays ace Tyler Glasnow to bolster their starting rotation.
The Glasnow trade cost the Dodgers one of their best young starters in Ryan Pepiot. At the moment, Emmet Sheehan, Ryan Yarbrough and Gavin Stone project to be the team's fourth, fifth and sixth starters.
Given its relative lack of experience and depth, the Dodgers' starting rotation could use a couple of arms. A back-of-the rotation starter with a track record of durability could fit well.
Enter former All-Star Lucas Giolito, 29, a free agent for the first time in his career.
According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, a homecoming is possible for the right-hander from Southern California:
(Giolito) needs to sign with a team with a strong pitching coach and analytics staff that will treat him as a reclamation project. With the right pitching plan, Giolito could rediscover what he had during his best years (2019-21). The Dodgers have had a lot of success with reclamation-project pitchers and they need veteran starters for their depleted rotation, so a one-year deal makes sense.
Contract prediction: One year, $15 million
Giolito was among the best pitchers to move at the 2023 trade deadline, landing with the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels surprised everyone when they pushed their chips in to acquire Giolto and Reynaldo Lopez from the Chicago White Sox for two prospects in July.
The move did not pan out. Giolito struggled (1-5, 6.89 ERA in six starts) and the Halos ended up selling off most of their midseason acquisitions before the month of August was over. Giolito was among several players placed on waivers — in effect, to save money — and both he and Lopez were claimed by the Cleveland Guardians.
Giolito's fortunes did not improve in Cleveland. He had a 7.04 ERA in six appearances and gave up 11 home runs.
This offseason, he's looking for a prove-it deal to secure a longer-term contract next winter. As Bowden mentioned, Giolito will need a strong pitching staff and a program of prior success with reclamation projects.
Not only could he find that with the Dodgers, but he could do so from the comfort of his home. Giolito was born and raised in Santa Monica and starred at Harvard-Westlake in Studio City.
If he's able to bounce back in 2024, Giolito could slot right in at the back of the rotation and give the Dodgers some quality innings.
