The Boston Red Sox took a step in the right direction during the 2025 season. This is because the Red Sox finished the 2025 season with an 89-73 record and made the playoffs for the first time since the 2021 campaign.
After losing to the New York Yankees in the American League Wild Card series, the Red Sox have responded by having a pretty active offseason. The Red Sox have brought in multiple new players, with Ranger Suarez, Willson Contreras, Sonny Gray, and Johan Oviedo being the most notable. With this, the Red Sox will be hoping to take another step forward in 2026, despite losing Alex Bregman in free agency to the Chicago Cubs.
However, the Red Sox still have another notable free agent who remains unsigned at this point in the offseason: pitcher Lucas Giolito. Giolito proved to be a strong addition to the Red Sox’s roster in 2025, as he had a 10-4 record, a 3.41 ERA, and 121 strikeouts. With this, the 6-foot-6 starter undoubtedly had himself a nice bounce-back campaign with the Red Sox.
Given how well Giolito performed for the Red Sox this past season, it would make sense if they were at least open to trying to bring him back to Boston. However, he should also generate interest from teams around the league that are looking to improve their rotation.
With this, Giolito is now being predicted to leave the Red Sox and sign with a National League West club.
Red Sox Predicted to Lose Lucas Giolito to Padres
In a recent article for FanSided, Christopher Kline predicted where each of the top remaining free agents will sign this offseason. Giolito was one of the teams discussed, and Kline went with the San Diego Padres for the one-time All-Star pitcher’s landing spot instead of the Red Sox.
“Re-signing Michael King was a huge win for AJ Preller and that front office, but Dylan Cease’s absence still leaves a gaping hole in the rotation. Lucas Giolito outperformed his metrics in Boston, but all the same, he put together a respectable 2025 campaign. He amassed three straight top-15 Cy Young finishes in Chicago from 2019-21, so the résumé is appealing. San Diego can bank on him as a third or fourth starter, with the Padres’ offense needing to do the heavy lifting in 2026,” Kline wrote.
It would make a ton of sense for the Padres to bring in a pitcher like Giolito. He is one of the top free agent starters still available for the taking, and he would undoubtedly be a nice pickup for a Padres club that needs pitching help.
If the Padres signed Giolito and he replicated his 2025 form, it would be huge news for a San Diego club that is looking to be a legitimate contender.
Padres Will Have Competition to Land Giolito
With Giolito being one of the best pitchers still left in free agency, it is clear that he is going to generate a good amount of interest. Besides the Red Sox, a few other teams who been connected to him this offseason include the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks.
However, with the Padres needing another pitcher, it would be wise for them to make a major push for Giolito. It will be interesting to see if they end up landing him from here.
Red Sox 6-Foot-6 Star Free Agent Pitcher Linked to NL Club