The Detroit Tigers have had a challenging offseason, with fans growing increasingly frustrated as promises made by Scott Harris and AJ Hinch after the team’s ALDS exit remain unfulfilled. While the Tigers have reacquired Gleyber Torres and Kyle Finnegan, their efforts to strengthen the roster have been limited, with only two pitchers added so far. These moves have not been met with universal approval, and patience among fans is beginning to wane.
Despite this, there is still time for the Tigers to make impactful additions before spring training begins. One player who will need to compete for a rotation spot is Anderson, which opens the door for the team to pursue a more established starting pitcher. The starter market has been particularly slow this offseason, and while the Tigers may be hesitant to sign high-profile names like Ranger Suarez or Framber Valdez, there are several B/C-tier pitchers who could offer better value than Anderson.
One potential target is Lucas Giolito, a former Red Sox starter who once shared a high school rotation with Jack Flaherty and Max Fried. Giolito declined his mutual option with Boston and is now available without any restrictions, as the Red Sox did not extend him a qualifying offer. This makes him an attractive option for the Tigers, especially given their success in developing Flaherty over the past few seasons.
Giolito has expressed openness to returning to the Red Sox, but he acknowledges that Boston’s recent additions of Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo have made that possibility slim. Instead, he is focusing on retooling his pitching arsenal, including reintroducing a sinker and refining his changeup to appeal to other teams.
In 2025, Giolito enjoyed his best season since his 2021 campaign with the White Sox, earning Cy Young votes. However, he missed the entire 2024 season due to a non-Tommy John elbow procedure and was sidelined for about a month in 2025 due to a hamstring strain. Despite these setbacks, he remained healthy for the rest of the year, pitching 145 innings with a 3.41 ERA.
Giolito left $19 million in 2026 on the table, but if the Tigers can secure him at a contract similar to Flaherty’s (two years, $35 million with escalators), it could be a smart move. Given his recent bounce-back performance in Boston, Giolito could serve as a reliable No. 2 starter behind Tarik Skubal, providing much-needed depth to the rotation.
For the Tigers, targeting Giolito could be a strategic decision that balances cost with potential. While he may not be a guaranteed star, his track record and recent improvements make him a viable option for a team looking to rebuild its pitching staff. With the right support and development, Giolito could become a key piece of the Tigers’ future.
