Boston Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito's September 17 performance against the A's wasn't his best, and he hasn't looked the same as he did during his torrid stretch in June and July. Giolito allowed four runs on five hits and five walks over 4.1 innings.
Giolito's four-plus frames were just enough for him to reach 140.1 innings on the season, one-third more than he needed to activate a provision in his contract. If the righty pitched less than 140 innings this season, the Red Sox would get control of him for $14 million in 2026. Now that he's tossed over 140 frames, the vesting option has become a $19 million mutual option, which Giolito will more than likely decline to become a free agent.
But Giolito's postgame comments didn't reflect the expected excitement of a rebounding starting pitcher who'll be hitting the free agent market just weeks from now (subscription required).
"I don't care," Giolito said of his new mutual option. “I’m disappointed in my performance tonight. This could’ve been a much easier win than it had to be. That stuff — I’ve taken the approach of trying not to think about that kind of stuff.”
The veteran was more focused on his struggles on the mound, which have lingered since August. Giolito has allowed six or more baserunners in his eight most recent starts, partially caused by a troubling increase in walks — 26 in nine starts since August 3.
Lucas Giolito has activated the mutual option in his contract with the Red Sox by pitching 140 innings this season
Still, Giolito could fetch a nice payday when he hits the open market. Just one year removed from the internal brace procedure, Giolito has posted a 3.46 ERA with 118 strikeouts and 52 walks over 140.1 innings. Before his UCL injury, he posted over 170 innings four times in his nine-year career, and he received Cy Young votes from 2019-21.
Giolito was aware of the upcoming change in his contract before his rough start. He spoke about it with WEEI on September 17.
"It’s one of those things I have been aware of, I truly realized probably months ago," Giolito said. "I was like, ‘OK, I’m on pace to where this is something I’m not going to have to worry about, or think about.’"
Because he pitched so poorly to start the season, Giolito wasn't initially concerned with his vesting option. His Red Sox debut was delayed by his 2024 UCL revision and a leg injury during spring training 2025, and he had a long road to redemption in front of him. He rebounded successfully, but he may not be looking to leave Boston.
"I definitely think about the future. In the position I am in life I think about the future now. Having a family, where would I like to be and do and stuff like that. I have made it very clear how much I love it here," he said.
Giolito will probably decline the mutual option to hit the free agent market and secure a contract for more than $19 million — whether that's with the Red Sox or not will be up to the front office. The veteran has posted a rollercoaster of a season with troubling lows and Cy Young-caliber highs, but he's fallen on hard times late. It will be interesting to see if the Red Sox reunite with Giolito for 2026, or 2026 and beyond.