Red Sox predicted to cut ties with 3.41 starter after Yankees loss originally appeared on The Sporting News

The Boston Red Sox season is over after being eliminated in the AL Wild Card series against the New York Yankees. That means it’s time for the front office to turn the page and look towards the offseason.

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After the MLB playoffs conclude, Red Sox players and front office executives will have decisions to make on the roster. A few of those decisions are on the pitching side of things for Boston.

Lucas Giolito may not return to the Red Sox

Lucas Giolito became one of the Red Sox most durable starters on the season, but he was unable to be with the club during the playoffs. His contract has expired, so he will be a free agent once the 2026 period opens.

In a recent FanSided piece, writer Katie Manganelli speculated that Giolito will not return to Boston:

“Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval will also be healthy. Still, none of those players can reliably fill the No. 2 spot in the rotation behind Garrett Crochet, and finding a clear No. 2 starter should be Boston’s highest offseason priority. Trade deadline target and 2025 All-Star Joe Ryan could be an option, but Giolito should not be.”

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The reasoning behind it is because of the number of homegrown arms the Red Sox have coming up through their farm system, and the real wishlist item of free agency should be a No. 2 starter.

However, Giolito had a resurgence season for his career this season. He missed all of 2024, and in 26 starts this year, he posted a 3.41 ERA in 145 innings. His elbow injury in September may have been the reason the Red Sox were unable to top the Yankees.

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