Red Sox backup plan for Yoshinubo Yamamoto doesn't instill much confidence

The free agent market is, for all intents an purposes, at a standstill. It would seem as though almost every baseball executive is waiting on two players - Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Count the Boston Red Sox among those teams patiently waiting for both Japanese superstars to make their decisions known. While Boston is reportedly out on the Ohtani sweepstakes, some Red Sox rumors continue to emerge about the team's increased interest in signing Yamamoto.

Of course, Boston is not alone. The New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants are all over Yamamoto as well, and the Dodgers could quickly pivot if their Ohtani plans backfire. If the Red Sox were to miss out on Yamamoto, it would seem that Craig Breslow is putting his own backup plan into action. However, unlike LA's, it's a less than stellar option.

Red Sox rumors: Boston could pivot to Lucas Giolito if Yoshinobu Yamamoto signs elsewhere

According to MLB Insider Jon Morosi, the Boston Red Sox are among a handful of teams interested in signing former Chicago White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito. The right-hander is also drawing interest from the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Kansas City Royals.

It's safe to assume that if Boston fails to sign Yamamoto, the team will then attempt to secure a deal with Giolito. Morosi even notes that the ongoing negotiations involving Ohtani and Yamamoto could impact Giolito's destination.

I don't know about you, but it's a big step down going from Yamamoto to Giolito. These Red Sox rumors are not very encouraging. After watching Giolito serve up batting practice on a regular basis after being traded by Chicago, it's a bit peculiar that he's drawing such wide-spread interest.

Giolito moved teams twice in 2023. After being dealt from the White Sox to the Los Angeles Angels, Giolito was plucked off waivers by the Cleveland Guardians. After leaving the South Side, the right-hander posted an unsightly 6.96 ERA and allowed 21 home runs in 12 starts.

Forgive me for not leaping for joy, but if these latest Red Sox rumors are true, it makes Boston's pursuit of Yamamoto even more important.