Mets Reportedly Showing 'Strong Interest' In Red Sox Free-Agent Target
It sounds like the Boston Red Sox are going to have some competition for one of their rumored free-agent targets.
Boston needs to improve the starting rotation this offseason. This is easier said than done. The Red Sox are in a similar spot to many other clubs this offseason. Plus, there's seemingly not enough pitching to go around.
The Red Sox missed out on former Orix Buffaloes ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto and now has to figure out their next plan. Boston has been linked with one-time All-Star Lucas Giolito on multiple occasions this offseason and it seems like a move could happen.
Although this is the case, Boston will have some competition for his services as the New York Mets reportedly are showing "strong interest" in the righty as well, according to the New York Post's Mike Puma.
"The Mets are showing strong interest in the right-hander, whose top selling point might be his ability to consume innings. Giolito, pitched 184 1/3 innings last season — divided among the (Chicago White Sox), (Los Angeles Angels) and (Cleveland Guardians) — marking the fourth time since 2018 he surpassed 170 in a season.
"He finished with 204 strikeouts last season, which ranked sixth in the American League. Giolito had a solid first half with the White Sox last season, but beginning in mid-July went through a divorce and was later traded twice, factors that may have contributed to his shaky numbers after the All-Star break."
Giolito has plenty of upside despite a down year in 2024. He actually was very steady to kick off the season with the White Sox and logged a 3.79 ERA in his first 21 starts. He struggled afterward with the Angels and Guardians.
At one point Giolito was one of the top starters in the American League and received Cy Young Award votes each season from 2019 to 2021. Maybe he could get back to that level of play next season.
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