The hot stove heated up just before the new year as one of the better available starting pitchers, Lucas Giolito, came off the market. Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a two-year deal with the former Chicago White Sox hurler. The pact is worth $38.5 million and includes a player opt-out after 2024. Chicago traded Giolito at the deadline, ending his seven-year tenure with the team.

The California native showed his skills in 21 starts for the South Siders before being dealt to the Los Angeles Angels this past season. In those outings, he amassed a 3.79 ERA in 121 innings with 131 strikeouts, spearheaded by a 2.32 ERA over five June starts. Unfortunately for Giolito and the Angels, struggles marred his time with the Halos in their unsuccessful playoff push.

A Tale of Two Seasons

The righty pitched to a horrendous 6.89 ERA, allowing 10 homers, 15 walks, and 34 strikeouts in 32.2 innings with Los Angeles. Cleveland took a bold, low-risk approach by acquiring Giolito off waivers while five games out of first place with 28 games left to play. But the Guardians’ move didn’t pay off, and Giolito struggled with a 7.04 ERA in six star.

What’s On Tap Next?

Nevertheless, Giolito took his solid overall track record into free agency. Despite a rough 2022 and 12 underwhelming starts to finish 2023, MLB’s limited free-agent pitching options helped him earn a fairly lucrative short-term deal. Furthermore, the deal includes an opt-out after the first year, allowing the 29-year-old to rebuild his value and reenter free agency with better prospects.

Giolito allowed 41 home runs in 2023, a problem that may be compounded by hitter-friendly Fenway Park and powerful AL East Lineups. Boston’s pitching department indeed has plans to extract more of Giolito’s first half and less of his second half.