Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito has exercised his $19 million player option for the 2025 season. Giolito was Boston’s most significant free-agent pitching signing last offseason, inking a two-year, $38.5 million guaranteed deal with a player opt-out after the first season. But the 30-year-old right-hander suffered a UCL injury in his second Spring Training game with the Red Sox which required season-ending elbow surgery. Lucas Giolito announced his plans to exercise his 2025 option during Boston’s final homestand and made it official on Thursday.
Injured Red Sox Pitcher Exercises Player Option
Giolito had a breakout season with the White Sox in 2019, earning him his first All-Star selection and three straight American League Cy Young votes. During that three-year span, he pitched to a 3.47 ERA and a 1.076 WHIP over 72 starts. Giolito had a down year in 2023 and was hoping that a bounce back season could lead to a more lucrative contract on the open market. But he ultimately missed the entire 2024 campaign after undergoing season-ending internal brace surgery in March.
Red Sox Ace Lucas Giolito Exercises $19 Million Player Option For 2025
Rather than return to free agency, Giolito will join a revamped Red Sox pitching staff under pitching coach Andrew Bailey. With Nick Pivetta electing free agency, Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford will anchor the rotation until he returns. Helping Giolito induce weaker contact and decrease his walk rate will be key for Bailey and the Boston coaching staff. He led the league allowing 41 home runs while walking opposing batters at a 9.2% clip.
By exercising his player option for 2025, Giolito also triggered a pair of potential options for the following season. If he throws fewer than 140 innings, the Red Sox hold a $14 million club option. But if he gets over that threshold, he will unlock a $19 million mutual option. Either way, his buyout would be $1.5 million. Giolito started a throwing program in early August, but it is unclear if he will be ready for the start of Spring Training.
Main Photo Credits: Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK
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