When the Red Sox signed Lucas Giolito before last season, they were hoping to to get the All-Star-caliber pitcher that Giolito was for the White Sox from 2019-21.
It took a while, but the Red Sox finally got that version of Giolito. And as a result, it may shorten their time together.
The 31-year-old right-hander was dominant in his latest start, pitching eight shutout innings in Baltimore, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out eight. The performance improved Giolito’s record to 9-2 and lowered his ERA to 3.47.
It also pushed Giolito eight innings closer to activating an opt-out clause in his contract.
When Giolito signed with the Red Sox, his contract included a $19 million player option for this season. After Giolito missed the entire 2024 season due to elbow surgery and thus opted in for this season.
That opt-in triggered a $14 million club option for next season. However, if Giolito pitches 140 innings this season, the 2026 option will become a mutual option for $19 million.
And after the eight innings on Tuesday night, Giolito is now at 119 1/3 innings pitched this season.
With the Red Sox in the thick of a push for the postseason, manager Alex Cora will eagerly be handing the ball to Giolito every fifth day. And with the schedule allotting for five more starts for Giolito, it’s looking like a near-certainty that he’ll be hitting that 140-inning threshold before season’s end.
While Giolito may not get more than $19 million per year in free agency, he’ll assuredly get multiple years at a comparable rate.
Giolito appears to be pitching himself into a fresh payday this offseason.
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