Top 3 Free Agent Destinations for Lucas Giolito

To say that Lucas Giolito didn't play his strongest hand going into free agency would be an understatement. Before the season, he was thought to be one of the top couple of pitchers to be available this winter on the open market. 

Then 2023 happened. 

Giolito finished the season with the Cleveland Guardians, where he posted a 7.04 ERA in six starts, and lost four of five decisions. Before that, with the LA Angels, he went 1-5 with a 6.89 ERA in six starts, and was waived. Overall, his mark on the season going into free agency was 8-15 with a 4.88 ERA and a league-high 41 home runs surrendered. Yikes. 

Regardless, there will be teams who think they can correct whatever plagued Giolito's season. After all, he's a former All-Star who received plenty of Cy Young votes for three straight seasons (2019 through 2021). 

Here are three teams who could make a run at Giolito this winter:

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers were heavily linked to Giolito back at the July trade deadline, but their crosstown rivals in Anaheim beat them to it at the time. The Dodgers have had some luck of late churning strong seasons out of struggling pitchers. Lance Lynn came to LA in August with the most earned runs and home runs allowed in the majors, but wound up revitalizing himself and the Dodgers' staff with a 7-2 mark and a 4.36 ERA, two runs lower than what he had with the White Sox. 

They might just try for another reclamation project with a pitcher they have liked in the past. 

Boston Red Sox

The BoSox needs to replenish their starting rotation with potential upside. After he was released by the Angels at the end of August, the Red Sox did some "internal digging" on Giolito, according to The Athletic. Perhaps they still feel they could fix what ailed him this year. 

St. Louis Cardinals

As with every free agent starting pitcher, the Cards are dealing themselves in. Their rotation was a disaster in 2023, and is basically all up for grabs in 2024. St. Louis has been linked to Giolito in the past some were even wondering if they would put in a claim for him after the Angels cut him loose at the end of August. He has been listed before as a Cardinals' target in free agency. 

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