The Los Angeles Dodgers have identified starting pitching as their biggest need this offseason and are casting a wide net in their search for rotation upgrades.
Hoping to add at least two starters, the team has been linked to some of the biggest names available in free agency, including Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. L.A. reportedly made Aaron Nola a contract offer before he re-signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as well.
While the Dodgers want to add a front-line pitcher to their staff, they are also looking at several depth options. Among them is former first-round draft pick Lucas Giolito, per David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports:
“Another pitcher the Dodgers are looking at is another former White Sox and Harvard-Westlake alum, Lucas Giolito. The Dodgers believe they have the game plan and the pitching coaches, namely Connor McGuiness and Mark Prior, to get Giolito’s career back on track. And he has seen the success stories the Dodgers have had.
“And he’s a guy, from what I understand, follows a game plan perfectly. If you have a bad game plan, he’ll execute it, but it won’t go well. The Dodgers are known for their game planning, they know how to get guys back on track, there are certain types of pitchers they believe they can help, and Lucas Giolito is in that category.
“So there are signs pointing to the Dodgers and Giolito’s conversations going on now turning into a signing. When that happens, I don’t know, but I can tell you they are having serious discussions. If the Dodgers do sign Giolito, he would be a four or five starter and be able to execute their game plan.”
The Dodgers have a reputation for helping starting pitchers get back on track as they previously found success with Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heaney. They now see potential in Giolito, who was an All-Star with the Chicago White Sox during the 2019 season.
The Dodgers’ interest in the right-hander dates back to this year’s trade deadline, when the club tried acquiring him before the White Sox sent him to the Los Angeles Angels. When the Angels fell out of playoff contention in late August, they allowed Giolito to be claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Guardians.
The Southern California native went a combined 8-15 with a 4.88 ERA, 5.27 FIP, 1.31 WHIP and 10 strikeouts per nine in 184.1 innings pitched across 33 starts between the three teams.
What contract could Dodgers offer Lucas Giolito?
Giolito will likely have to settle for a one-year contract as he is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career. This would give the 29-year-old an opportunity to re-establish his value and test free agency again next year.
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