The Tigers could use another starting pitcher to add to their rotation, and they have their eyes on a right-hander.
Lucas Giolito has drawn interest from Detroit, as well as several other teams, The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported Sunday.
Giolito spent the last two seasons with the Boston Red Sox, but did not pitch in 2024 due to an elbow injury that required an internal brace procedure.
The 31-year-old was serviceable for the Red Sox in 2025 with a 3.41 ERA, 10-4 record and 121 strikeouts in 145 innings.
While he was eligible for one, the Red Sox did not extend the $22.025 million qualifying offer to Giolito, who had his mutual option for 2026 declined, after 2025.
In December, he said he saw “the writing on the wall” when it came to a potential reunion with Boston.
“I loved it there and I would have loved to go back,” Giolito told WEEI’s Rob Bradford on the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast. “I still would, but if you look at the writing on the wall I don’t think they need another starting pitcher. That’s business, baby. That’s how it goes.”
The Red Sox traded for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, and recently signed Ranger Suárez.
Toward the end of the season Giolito struggled with his velocity. He was ruled out of Boston’s American League Wild Card series against the New York Yankees due to elbow soreness. The MRI revealed no structural damage, but teams appear to be taking a cautious approach when it comes to Giolito.
Should Giolito come to terms on a deal with the Tigers, he’d join back-to-back AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, and reunite with his high school teammate, Jack Flaherty.
