Lucas Giolito: Everything you need to know

The Cubs and Padres are interested in potentially signing Giolito, Patrick Mooney, Ken Rosenthal, Dennis Lin and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic report. The right-hander was unable to land a contract during the offseason after posting a 3.41 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 121:56 K:BB across 145 regular-season innings with Boston last year. The numbers look solid on the surface, but his xERA (5.06), xBA (.265) and average exit velocity allowed (90.3 mph) all ranked in the 22nd percentile or worse. If he does reach a deal, Giolito will need at least a few weeks to build up to game readiness.

Giolito said Friday on Audacy's Baseball Isn't Boring podcast that he's been maintaining a pitch count of around 75 during live batting practice sessions. Giolito remains unsigned but is keeping his stamina up so that it won't take him long to be game ready if a big-league team comes calling. The 31-year-old posted a 3.41 ERA and 121:56 K:BB over 145 regular-season innings for the Red Sox in 2025. Elbow soreness prevented Giolito from being available for the postseason, but he had a normal offseason throwing program and could sign at any time.

Giolito is not getting much interest as a free agent, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. Despite some of the typical attrition among starting pitchers around the league this spring, Giolito remains a free agent without much prospect of landing a deal. Rosenthal specifically explained Atlanta's lack of interest despite injuries to Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) and Hurston Waldrep (elbow), suggesting the team would rather give players already on the roster without minor-league options remaining the chance to make the roster. Rosenthal also speculated that Giolito is seeking at least $10 million per season in a deal, though that request could come down as the regular season starts in less than one month.