After a rocky start to the season, Lucas Giolito emerged as exactly the comeback player the Boston Red Sox hoped he would be.
The veteran has posted a 3.38 ERA this season after a year-plus on the sidelines due to the internal brace procedure and a hamstring strain he sustained during spring training 2025. That delay could be one of the main contributors to Boston potentially securing another year of Giolito's services.
Before the 2024 season, Giolito signed a two-year deal with the Red Sox that contains a vesting option for 2026. If he pitches fewer than 140 innings by the end of this season, Boston gets control of Giolito next season for $14 million. If he surpasses 140 innings pitched, Giolito can turn the vesting option into a $19 million mutual option, which he would more than likely decline to hit the free agent market.
With 15 games left in the season, Giolito will likely start three more times. He is 14.2 innings away from pitching 140 on the year, and barring any injuries or unexpected changes in his performance or the Sox's rotation order, he seems primed to pass the maximum number needed to use the vesting option.
Lucas Giolito approaching 140 innings pitched in 2025, which would cancel a vesting option for 2026 in his deal with the Red Sox
Boston intends to exercise the vesting option on Giolito's contract if possible, but chief baseball officer Craig Breslow attested that the team would not manipulate his starts to ensure he stays under 140 frames pitched. Breslow told Chris Cotillo of MassLive that the Red Sox are focused on winning as the season comes to a close, and Giolito has been instrumental to Boston's success in most of his starts since his unsteady beginning this year.
Giolito has posted a 2.53 ERA with 30 strikeouts and 20 walks in his last seven starts — the Red Sox need him more on the mound to push for the playoffs than they do for next season. However, they should still be able to re-sign him for a reasonable price if he wishes to stay in Boston. Giolito is 31 and may not get a team to bite on a lengthy deal, especially after his recent UCL revision. The righty still raised his price this year, but not to a level the Red Sox wouldn't be able to afford.
Red Sox fans would love to see Giolito finish the season and enter the playoffs strong. While it would be ideal to have him on the roster for just $14 million next season, it's nicer to see the Red Sox with their priorities in order and not focused on the finances of the situation.