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).
