Glenn Coleman
Dec 30, 2023 - 12:05

MLB free agency 2023 tracker: Lucas Giolito signs $38.5 million deal with Red Sox

Lucas Giolito reportedly signs two-year, $38.5 million deal with Boston Red Sox, Dodgers add Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto for $325 million.

The Boston Red Sox have reportedly added another top starting pitcher to their rotation in the form of Lucas Giolito, who agreed to a two-year, $38.5 million deal with an opt-out after the first season. This move will allow him to retest free agency next winter if he performs better in 2024 than he has in the past couple of years, during which he posted a combined 4.89 ERA.

Giolito's addition is a significant one for the Red Sox, as their rotation was low on innings last season and will need help to compete in the AL East next season. This signing adds depth and talent to their pitching staff, which was a priority for the team this offseason.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers have continued to add to their already impressive roster by agreeing to a 12-year deal worth $325 million with Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto, plus a posting fee of $50.6 million. This makes Yamamoto's deal the largest pitching contract in MLB history, surpassing Shohei Ohtani's 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers.

In addition to Yamamoto, the Dodgers also completed a trade for Tyler Glasnow with the Tampa Bay Rays, sending outfielder Jonny Deluca and pitcher Ryan Pepiot to the Rays in exchange for Glasnow. The deal was contingent on Glasnow signing an extension with the Dodgers, and the two sides came to terms on a five-year, $135 million deal the following day.

The Kansas City Royals also made moves to boost their rotation by signing right-hander Michael Wacha to a two-year, $32 million deal. Wacha, who was 14-4 with 124 strikeouts in 134.1 innings pitched in 24 appearances with the San Diego Padres last season, will join Seth Lugo as the new faces of the Royals' rotation.

Overall, these recent pitching acquisitions by several MLB teams have further solidified their rotations and added depth and talent to their pitching staffs, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive upcoming season.