Dodgers Rumors: Insider Thinks LA Could Finally Land Lucas Giolito This Offseason
In what’s been a whirlwind season involving stops with multiple teams, one pitcher the Dodgers targeted at the trade deadline could finally be at the Ravine come free agency in the winter.
Current Cleveland Guardian Lucas Giolito hasn’t had a great season, but could turn his recent career around working with Mark Prior and co. in Los Angeles. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand thinks the Dodgers are among the best landing spots for the 29-year-old this offseason.
Giolito was one of the top targets at the Trade Deadline, and while his move to Anaheim has been rough — he’s 1-4 with a 6.67 ERA in five starts with the Angels — the right-hander still figures to draw plenty of interest in free agency. Nobody will confuse Giolito with a bona fide ace, but the 29-year-old has been a proven innings-eater capable of filling a club’s No. 2 or 3 spot in the rotation, and he will likely be paid accordingly.
Potential fits: Cardinals, Dodgers, Red Sox
via Mark Feinsand, MLB.com
Beginning the season with the Chicago White Sox, the Angels swooped in over the Dodgers to acquire both Giolito and reliver Reynaldo Lopez for prospects in Anaheim’s own playoff push.
In just a month with the Halos, Giolito’s struggles continued on the mound and led to his waiver release from the team after just a couple of starts that the righty himself described as lackluster.
Picked up by the Guardians in their own playoff pursuits on the waiver wire, ironically alongside Lopez, Cleveland’s mentality was that they could rekindle some of the All-Star’s previous form.
Despite this hope, Giolito’s first start against the Twins ended in disaster after going just three innings and surrendering nine runs, all earned.
Home runs have been a common issue for Giolito in 2023 and after giving up three more dingers to Minnesota, the 29-year-old’s season ERA has risen to 4.88 on the year.
Once thought to be a headliner for the White Sox rotation on their playoff team in 2021, it’s quickly unraveled for Giolito in 2023.
Should LA and Andrew Friedman take a chance on the veteran pitcher, it could pay dividends for both player and team after the Dodgers have been recognized for their ability to channel the best in cast off veterans from their previous locations.
Giolito’s case is an interesting one, but one that the Dodgers and Prior could certainly try to fix as their rotation next season possibly got even thinner with recent developments concerning Julio Urias.
Photo Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
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NO, thanks.
Snell.
Nola.
With Buehler, Miller, Pepiot, Sheehan, Stone and possibly Kershaw (so close to 3,000 K’s), where’s the room for Giolito? And, what happens when May, Gonsolin, and Ohtani return?
May and Gonsolin will not be back next year, look to 2025, Urias is gone, maybe forever in the Big Leagues. (Boo Hoo, Scott Boras.) And who knows how long it will be until Ohtani will pitch again, if the Dodgers can even sign him. There is always room for a pitcher who has had success, as long as Mark Pryor and company hang around to resurrect their careers. If Giolito can be had for a reasonable price, then I say sign him. If not, then he can go somewhere else and continue to lose…
I agree…partly. There’s a reason, two actually, that all the young guns were up this year: 1) see who’s ready for the bigs (partly out of necessity with all the injuries), and 2) use the young guns with team control and cheap salaries to clear payroll to sign Ohtani. Martinez won’t be back if they sign Ohtani- more salary cleared.
And, they’re going to be closely watching Buehler to see how a pitcher responds to his second TJ surgery. I think it’s likely they structure a deal that pays Ohtani as a DH which then escalates when he can pitch again. Two-tiered contract with high AAV. That’s Friedman’s M.O.
Having May and Gonsolin on the PUP allows them to rehab, and maybe be available if one or two of the young guns are shut down for whatever reason. And they’re still cheap. I just want Kershaw to come back to get to 3,000 K’s, then if he wants to hang it up (even mid-season!) I’m good with that. Cooperstown awaits…
hard pass