The Boston Red Sox had a few departures as soon as free agency began yesterday, with one of them being Lucas Giolito, as they didn’t tender a qualifying offer. However, it seems like Giolito wasn’t planning on leaving.
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In an interview with WEEI, Giolito revealed he wasn’t banking on getting the offer, and that he made it clear he didn’t want to leave, and that he loved Boston.
"I wasn’t banking on it," said Giolito just moments after learning he wasn't receiving the one-year QO. "I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to get it…"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," he said. "It’s the most fun I have ever had having a season with a team in the big leagues. I felt like the way it ended left such a bad taste in my mouth, and the rest of the team, particularly me not being able to pitch in that playoff series. It really sucked. I was like I really hope I can come back, and it goes better for us next time. It has got to be a mutual thing,” Giolito stated (via Rob Bradford).
This season, Giolito posted a 10-4 record, a 3.41 ERA, 121 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.290 over 145 innings pitched. He was a solid No. 2 pitcher for most of the year, but injuries caught up to him, as he wasn’t the same after.
Hopefully, the Red Sox can bring him back on a team-friendly deal, as he definitely can fill out a No. 3 spot in the rotation still. If they don’t, the Sox fandom will wish him well on his journey to find a new home.
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