Lucas Giolito

Lucas Giolito is reportedly receiving interest from the Baltimore Orioles. Giolito has also been linked to the Braves and Tigers in the past month as rumors surrounding the righthander are heating up.

Fantasy Impact

Giolito had a solid bounce-back season with the Red Sox in 2025 as he went 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts. The righthander received Cy Young votes in 2019, 2020, and 2021 with the White Sox, but injuries and inefficiency troubled Giolito until his solid year in 2025. In nine major league seasons, Giolito is 71-66 with a 4.30 ERA in 1158.2 career innings. With news surrounding the righthander picking up, an announcement on a new team for Giolito may be coming sooner than later.

The Braves are targeting right-hander Lucas Giolito as a potential starting rotation upgrade.

Fantasy Impact

In the report, MLB Network's Jon Heyman identified Giolito and fellow right-hander Chris Bassitt as rotation targets for the Braves. After recovering from Tommy John surgery that cost him the 2024 season, Giolito returned to post a healthy 3.41 ERA across 26 starts for the Red Sox in 2025.

Free-agent right-hander Lucas Giolito told the Baseball Isn't Boring Podcast that he believes a reunion with the Red Sox is unlikely.

Fantasy Impact

Giolito also stated his free agency "is crickets right now". The Red Sox traded for veteran right-hander Sonny Gray and fellow righty Johan Oviedo this offseason, seemingly putting a Giolito reunion on the backburner. The 31-year-old posted a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts for Boston last season before undergoing elbow surgery in late September. He has said he is fully recovered from his elbow procedure.

Lucas Giolito said on Audacy’s “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast that he has fully recovered from the right elbow injury that sidelined him late last season. The right-hander began his offseason throwing program in mid-October and reported that his elbow felt “100 percent fine” just days after the initial soreness. Giolito missed the postseason for Boston but expects no lingering issues heading into free agency.

Fantasy Impact

Giolito’s clean bill of health should restore his standing as one of the more reliable veteran starters on the market. The 31-year-old posted a 3.41 ERA with a 121:56 K:BB across 145 innings for the Red Sox in 2025, and a healthy offseason should make him an attractive target for teams seeking mid-rotation stability. Assuming he lands in a favorable situation, Giolito profiles as a solid fantasy option in 2026 drafts.

Lucas Giolito has declined his portion of a $19 million mutual option for the 2026 season.

Fantasy Impact

Giolito is now free to test the open market, but Boston does have the right to extend Giolito a one-year qualifying offer. After posting solid numbers in 2025, Giolito could have multiple teams calling that need help in their rotation for the 2026 season.