Lucas Giolito is once again a name to watch on the free agent market - and this time, he’s coming off a quietly impressive bounce-back campaign that has front offices paying attention.
After missing the entire 2024 season due to elbow surgery, the 31-year-old right-hander returned to the mound in 2025 and delivered exactly what the Boston Red Sox were hoping for when they exercised his $19 million option: stability, efficiency, and flashes of the frontline form he showed earlier in his career. Over 26 starts, Giolito posted a 10-4 record with a 3.41 ERA in 145 innings, striking out 121 while walking 56. His 120 ERA+ and 2.1 WAR reflect a pitcher who wasn’t just solid - he was well above league average.
Now, he’s betting on himself again. Giolito declined the mutual option for 2026 and hit free agency, where he’s drawing serious interest from several teams looking to bolster their rotations.
Chief among them? The Baltimore Orioles.
According to reports, the Orioles are eyeing one more big move before pitchers and catchers report, and Giolito is firmly in the mix. Baltimore has already had a busy and aggressive offseason, adding Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward, Shane Baz, Ryan Helsley, and Andrew Kittredge. That’s a haul that signals a team not just trying to compete - but trying to win now.
After a disappointing 2025 campaign that saw them finish last in the AL East at 75-87, the Orioles have opened their checkbook, committing nearly $200 million in free agency this winter. They’re not just trying to plug holes - they’re building depth, experience, and postseason-caliber talent.
Still, there’s one spot they haven’t locked down: a frontline starter to round out the rotation. Baltimore was in the hunt for Framber Valdez for months, but he ultimately landed with the Tigers. With Valdez off the board, Zac Gallen is reportedly at the top of their list, followed by Giolito and Chris Bassitt.
Gallen may have the edge in terms of career consistency, but Giolito’s 2025 numbers make a compelling case. That 3.41 ERA, paired with a 1.29 WHIP and solid strikeout-to-walk ratio, shows a pitcher who’s not just healthy - he’s productive.
He may not be a Cy Young contender at this stage, but he’s a dependable arm who can take the ball every fifth day and keep a team in games. For a club with playoff aspirations, that kind of reliability matters.
And Baltimore isn’t alone in the Giolito sweepstakes.
The Atlanta Braves are also reportedly keeping tabs on him, as well as Bassitt, in an effort to reinforce a rotation that’s been hit hard by injuries and inconsistency. With a mix of young arms and health concerns, the Braves could use a veteran presence to stabilize the middle of their staff. A two-year deal in the $40 million range might be enough to get it done, according to reports.
Giolito’s 2025 wasn’t just a comeback - it was a reminder of what he can bring when healthy. He may not be the flashiest name left on the market, but he’s one of the most intriguing. For teams like the Orioles and Braves, who are looking to make noise in October, adding a steady, proven starter like Giolito could be the final piece of the puzzle.
With spring training just around the corner, expect movement soon. Giolito has shown he’s back - now it’s just a matter of who gets him.