Red Sox Have Done 'Significant Homework' On Free-Agent Starting Pitcher
Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has been on an offseason-long mission to bolster the rotation, seeking multiple starting pitchers.
Thus far, Breslow has yet to add a big-league starter but the pitching market appears close to heating up. One of the more intriguing targets in free agency seems to be toward the top of Boston's wishlist, right-hander Lucas Giolito.
"The Red Sox did significant homework on Giolito throughout last season and have been intrigued by him for some time," MassLive's Chris Cotillo wrote Thursday.
"The 29-year-old received Cy Young votes in three straight years (2019-21) before struggling in 2022 and posting a 4.88 ERA (and 5.27 FIP) over 33 starts with three clubs last season. Teams don’t appear to be scared off by Giolito because of those numbers and he still has a strong market with the (New York) Mets among the other teams reportedly in the mix."
Giolito posted the aforementioned 4.88 ERA (91 ERA+) with a 204-to-73 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .240 batting average against and a 1.31 WHIP in 184 1/3 innings last season.
The 29-year-old has arguably the widest range of outcomes in free agency. He could very realistically record a 3.50 ERA with almost 200 innings and contend for the American League Cy Young Award. He's also a candidate to put up a 5.00 ERA with one of the more inflated contracts in Major League Baseball.
With that said, beggars can't be choosers and the Red Sox have passed on too many arms to get picky.
Giolito can put up over 170 innings consistently and has a high strikeout rate -- which could be extremely important if the club does not find a defensive-minded second baseman to shore up the middle infield.
The rotation needs potential and Giolito can provide that, especially if he learns a trick or two under the new pitching development system being put into place in Boston.
If the Red Sox acquire Giolito that would be a good start to the rotation retooling, though they have no excuse not to be in on Jordan Montgomery as well.
More MLB: Red Sox Surprisingly Have 'Poked Around' On Pair Of Intriguing Free Agents
