Red Sox starters threw the fourth-fewest innings in the majors in 2023, while their combined 4.68 ERA ranked 22nd in the majors. Boston was considered a finalist to acquire the services of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who agreed to terms with the Dodgers for 12 years and $325 million.
Given their need for starting pitching, the Red Sox are one of several teams still pursuing a free agent. Lucas Giolito On their radar, MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo reported. The 29-year-old right-hander pitched 184.1 innings in 2023 (Dominican Brian Bello led the Redlegs with 157.0) and had a 4.88 earned run average for the White Sox.
After Giolito was traded to the Angels from the White Sox at the trade deadline, the right-hander had a 6.89 ERA in six starts for Los Angeles-Anaheim. He was waived by the Guardians on August 31 and in seven starts for Cleveland, he posted a 7.04 ERA. Still, there's no denying Giolito's ability, finishing sixth, seventh and 11th in American League Cy Young Award voting in those years from 2019 to 2021 with a 3.47 ERA.
Cotillo also reports that the Red Sox are in “constant communication” with veteran left-hander James Paxton, adding that a reunion is “on the cards, but not certain.”