The Texas Rangers are on the lookout for a starting pitcher to bolster their rotation this offseason, and it’s generating quite a buzz in the baseball community. Renowned sports journalist Jeff Wilson from DLLS Sports has reported that the team is actively pursuing new talent to enhance their lineup.
Currently, the starting rotation for the Rangers is expected to comprise right-handed pitchers such as Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, Jack Leiter, and Kumar Rocker. However, adding one more experienced pitcher through free agency could significantly strengthen their pitching depth and provide valuable leadership within the team.
With numerous starting pitchers available on the free agent market, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter suggests that former Boston Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito stands out as a prime candidate for the Rangers.
Giolito, who is 31 years old, would serve as an excellent mid-rotation option for Texas. Although he missed the entire 2024 season due to surgery on his right elbow involving ulnar collateral ligament repair, he bounced back in 2025 with the Red Sox. During that season, Giolito made 26 starts, achieving a respectable 3.41 ERA (with a 4.17 FIP), while recording 121 strikeouts against 56 walks over 145 innings pitched.
Interestingly, Giolito has expressed a desire to return to the Red Sox. However, with the recent signing of right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray by Boston, it seems likely that Giolito will need to pursue opportunities elsewhere—potentially a favorable outcome for the Rangers.
Despite facing challenges in controlling walks throughout his career, Giolito has enjoyed several successful seasons in Major League Baseball. He was originally drafted by the Washington Nationals as the 16th overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft. He made his debut with Washington, pitching 21 1/3 innings in 2016 before being traded to the Chicago White Sox in a deal that sent outfielder Adam Eaton to the Nationals. The trade also included other notable pitchers like Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning.
During his early days with the White Sox, Giolito quickly showcased his potential, posting an impressive 2.38 ERA over seven starts in 2017. However, his inaugural full season as a starter in 2018 proved challenging, resulting in a 6.13 ERA across 32 starts. It wasn't until 2019 that he truly began to realize his first-round pick potential, earning a spot on the American League All-Star team, contributing a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts, and accumulating 5.4 bWAR.
Over the span of seven seasons with the White Sox, Giolito accumulated a total of 13.9 bWAR and maintained a 4.20 ERA across 162 starts. In a surprising turn of events, on July 26, 2023, he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels alongside Lopez. Shortly thereafter, the Cleveland Guardians claimed him off waivers at the end of August 2023. Unfortunately, his performance took a downturn during this period, as he recorded a 6.89 ERA in six starts with the Angels and a 7.04 ERA in another six starts with the Guardians.
Could Lucas Giolito be the missing piece the Rangers need to fortify their pitching staff? As discussions around his potential signing heat up, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this situation unfolds. What are your thoughts on Giolito's future? Do you believe he would thrive in Texas, or should he pursue other options? Share your opinions below!
