Free agent Lucas Giolito has just 1 request for his next MLB team

The veteran pitcher remains unsigned despite a solid 2025 season with the Red Sox.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 1:18am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's windup and delivery broken down into overlapping, angular planes in muted earth tones, conceptually representing the complexities of free agent contract negotiations.The complex contract negotiations surrounding veteran free agent pitcher Lucas Giolito reflect the challenges some players face in securing fair market value.San Diego Today

Lucas Giolito, a free agent pitcher who had a respectable 3.41 ERA in 145 innings for the Boston Red Sox last season, is still looking for a new team. Giolito says he just wants to be paid close to his market value, with the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres showing interest as they deal with pitching injuries.

Why it matters

As the 2026 MLB season progresses, Giolito's free agent status highlights the challenges some veteran players face in securing lucrative contracts, even after productive campaigns. His situation also underscores the importance of pitching depth, with contending teams like the Cubs and Padres potentially looking to add an experienced arm to their rotations.

The details

Giolito signed a two-year deal with the Red Sox before the 2024 season but missed that campaign due to an elbow injury. He made 26 starts for Boston in 2025, but did not make a playoff appearance as the team was eliminated in the Wild Card round. Despite his solid performance, Giolito has yet to sign with a new team this offseason, with the veteran stating he simply wants to be paid close to his market value.

  • Giolito signed a two-year deal with the Red Sox before the 2024 season.
  • Giolito missed the 2024 season due to an elbow injury.
  • Giolito made 26 starts for the Red Sox in 2025, posting a 3.41 ERA in 145 innings.

The players

Lucas Giolito

A veteran free agent pitcher who had a solid 2025 season with the Boston Red Sox.

Boston Red Sox

The MLB team Giolito played for in 2025 before becoming a free agent.

Chicago Cubs

An MLB team that has shown interest in signing Giolito as they deal with pitching injuries.

San Diego Padres

An MLB team that has shown interest in signing Giolito as they deal with pitching injuries.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The last few months have been very strange, to where talks seem like they're heating up, and then it's like, 'OK, never mind. I just want to play for close to what my value is'”

— Lucas Giolito, Free agent pitcher

What’s next

As the 2026 MLB season continues, Giolito's free agent status will likely remain a storyline, with the Cubs, Padres, and potentially other teams in need of pitching depth monitoring his situation and negotiations.

The takeaway

Giolito's prolonged free agency highlights the challenges some veteran players face in securing lucrative contracts, even after productive seasons. His situation underscores the importance of pitching depth in MLB, with contending teams potentially looking to add experienced arms to their rotations as the season progresses.