Lucas Giolito’s free agency clock is ticking, and with spring training just around the corner, the veteran right-hander is still weighing his next move. But signs are pointing toward a possible landing spot in the AL East - and it’s not a return to Boston.
The Baltimore Orioles, fresh off an aggressive offseason, are reportedly eyeing Giolito as a potential addition to their starting rotation. Baltimore has been on the hunt for a frontline arm, especially after missing out on Framber Valdez, who signed a three-year, $115 million deal with the Tigers.
The Orioles were deep in that chase for months, but came up empty. Now, they’re pivoting - and Giolito is firmly on their radar.
Baltimore’s interest makes sense. This is a team that’s already made serious noise this winter, adding big names like Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward, Shane Baz, Ryan Helsley, and Andrew Kittredge.
But even with all that firepower, they’re not done. The rotation still needs a stabilizing presence, and Giolito could be exactly that.
Other names like Zac Gallen and Chris Bassitt are also reportedly in the mix, but Giolito offers a compelling combination of upside and experience.
There’s also another contender in the mix: the Atlanta Braves. While details are still scarce, the Braves are believed to be keeping tabs on Giolito as they look to bolster their own rotation depth heading into camp.
Giolito, 31, is coming off a solid bounce-back season after missing all of 2024 due to elbow surgery. In 2025, he returned to form with a 10-4 record and a 3.41 ERA across 26 starts - a strong showing that reestablished his value on the open market.
That performance gave him the confidence to decline the player side of his mutual option with the Red Sox, which would’ve paid him $19 million in 2026. Boston, for its part, chose not to extend a qualifying offer in November, effectively parting ways with the righty after a short-lived stint that never truly got off the ground.
Now, Giolito finds himself at a critical juncture. He’s healthy, effective, and one of the better arms still available in a thin pitching market.
For a team like Baltimore, which is clearly pushing its chips in for 2026, he could be a key piece in a rotation that needs more top-end consistency. For Atlanta, he’d add depth and reliability to a staff that’s already built to contend.
With spring training days away, a decision is coming soon. And wherever Giolito lands, he’ll bring with him the kind of veteran presence and upside that teams covet this time of year.