The Boston Red Sox are certainly a team to keep a close eye on during the 2026 season. After taking a notable step in the right direction this past season by making the playoffs for the first time since 2021, they will be looking to have another strong year in 2026.
The Red Sox have made some notable additions this offseason, as they have brought in players like Ranger Suarez, Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, Johan Oviedo, Caleb Durbin, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Yet, they have also lost several players from last season’s roster, as players like Alex Bregman (Chicago Cubs), Steven Matz (Tampa Bay Rays), Dustin May (St. Louis Cardinals), and Rob Refsnyder (Seattle Mariners) all found new homes.
Yet, Lucas Giolito is a notable pitcher from Boston’s roster last season who remains a free agent with Opening Day almost here. It is surprising that he has yet to land a contract for this season, as he is coming off a solid 2025 campaign with the Red Sox.
While Giolito has yet to be signed, he is now being viewed as a clear fit for a notable team in the National League West.
Former Red Sox Pitcher Lucas Giolito Named Fit for San Diego Padres
In a recent article for FanSided, MLB insider Robert Murray focused on Giolito’s free agency and shared where he thinks the former Red Sox pitcher will sign. Murray argued that Giolito would be a clear fit on the San Diego Padres.
“Another week, another Lucas Giolito question. Frankly, I can’t believe he’s unsigned either. I’ve said for weeks that the San Diego Padres are a great fit considering 1) the questions in their rotation and 2) how A.J. Preller loves stockpiling pitching depth. Adding Giolito this close to Opening Day, especially with the questions surrounding Joe Musgrove’s status coming off Tommy John surgery, would be a no-brainer move. Preller should consider it, and I believe he is. Adding Giolito would give the Padres the necessary depth it needs ahead of Opening Day,” Murray wrote.
When looking at the Padres’ current pitching rotation, there is no question that Giolito would be a nice pickup for them. He would give the bottom half of their rotation a boost and another solid veteran to work with.
With the Padres having high expectations for the 2026 season, they would be wise to add another impactful pitcher to their roster. Giolito is capable of being just that when he is performing at his best, and the former All-Star showed this with the Red Sox this past season. In 26 games with the Red Sox in 2025, the 6-foot-6 righty had a 10-4 record, a 3.41 ERA, and 121 strikeouts.
Giolito Should Find His New Home Soon
Whether Giolito ends up with the Padres or not, he should land his next contract soon. He is too good of a pitcher not to get signed, and this is especially so when noting that teams are always on the hunt for more starters. Besides the Padres, a few other teams that could be fits for Giolito include the Atlanta Braves, Washington Nationals, and Philadelphia Phillies.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see where the former Red Sox pitcher ends up landing.
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