“I made it clear to everybody” - Lucas Giolito opens up after injury left “bad taste” for Red Sox, ending qualifying offer hopes

Former All-Star pitcher Lucas Giolito will hit free agency in the upcoming winter after the Red Sox didn't extend a qualifying offer for 2026. Giolito, who initially declined a mutual option with the team, wasn't awarded an estimated $22.025 million qualifying offer for Boston; much to the surprise of the pitcher.

The 31-year-old pitcher was signed by the Red Sox on January 3, 2024. However, due to injuries, it wasn't until this season that he would make his debut for the squad. In the most recent episode of the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast hosted by Rob Bradford, Giolito shared his thoughts about his time with the team.

"I made it clear to you. I made it clear to everybody. I would love to come back here and continue to play for the Red Sox. It’s the most fun I have ever had having a season with a team in the big leagues," said Giolito on the podcast.

It can be recalled that Giolito was dropped just a few days away from Boston's first postseason game this year. After being a reliable second pitcher in the rotation behind ace Garret Crochet, Giolito's exclusion certainly hampered the team's chances of being able to establish a solid rotation as they narrowly fell to the Yankees in the American League Wild Card Series.

Giolito also shared on the interview that the timing of his injury couldn't have been worse as he only suffered the aforementioned elbow discomfort for three days. He even labeled the injury as a "freak" one given the circumstances that keep him out of playoff contention.

The former All-Star now faces free agency after making 26 appearances for Boston. He compiled a 10-4 record, a 3.41 ERA and 121 strikeouts in his brief stint with the ball club.

Alex Bregman opts out of Red Sox contract

Decorated third baseman and big money signing Alex Bregman has officially opted out of his Red Sox contract. On November 3, MLB insiders reported that the multi-time All-Star and World Series champion dropped out after just one year on what was a three-year, $120 million deal that landed him in Boston ahead of the 2025 season.

Bregman's arrival didn't come without drama, as club stalwart Rafael Devers was moved to designated hitter to accomodate the former Astros star's preferred role. Eventually, Devers was traded to the Giants in what was one of the most shocking moves of the 2020s.

At the time of writing, the only thing clear about the roster situation in Beantown is that neither club legend Devers nor Bregman will be on the squad as the 2026 season looms.