The Red Sox had high hopes for Lucas Giolito, who was due for a bounce-back season after suffering a season-ending injury in Spring Training of last year and having a down year in 2023, playing for three different teams in one season.
Originally out of the Nationals' farm system and traded to the White Sox, Giolito posted 873 strikeouts, a 10.8 WAR, along with an ERA+ of 100.
Lucas Giolito's Time in Boston Should Be Over
Having a down season in 2023 with the Chicago White Sox, he was then traded to the Los Angeles Angels in their playoff push, but was put on waivers a month later. He was then picked up by the Cleveland Guardians and had the worst stretch of his career. He had an ERA of 7.04 in his six starts with Cleveland and gave up a total of 41 home runs that entire season...but incredibly still struck out 204 batters in 33 games.
Giolito was always a strikeout pitcher. In his prime seasons, he had four seasons (2019, 2020, 2021, & 2023) with a K/9 over 10. His ability to miss bats was crucial in securing the two-year deal he agreed to with Boston. So far, it hasn't come to pass.
He hasn't touched his ability like it once was in Chicago, and he crumbles against bad teams. He'll give up seven runs to a team like the Angels, but then strikes out 10 Seattle Mariners in his next appearance. He's an on-and-off pitcher, and inconsistency isn't good for a strikeout pitcher.
Whether the Sox DFA or trade Giolito, it'll be for the best. The experiment is over.