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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