Report: Red Sox RHP Lucas Giolito declines $19M option for 2026

Field Level Media|published: Mon 3rd November, 15:17 2025

Sep 12, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (54) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito declined a $19 million mutual option, triggering a $1.5 million buyout, and is set to head to free agency, the Boston Globe reported Monday.

Giolito, 31, was 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA over 26 starts in his first season in Boston. The Red Sox reserve the right to extend the veteran a $22.025 million qualifying offer.

Giolito originally had a $14 million option for 2026, before it was raised to $19 million after reaching a 140-innings incentive. He finished with 145 innings last season.

Over nine seasons with the Washington Nationals (2016), Chicago White Sox (2017-23), Los Angeles Angels (2023), Cleveland Guardians (2023) and Red Sox, the former No. 16 overall draft pick in 2012 is 71-66 with a 4.30 ERA over 206 appearances (204 starts).

--Field Level Media

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