The New York Mets may have dodged a costly mistake in free agency, even if it wasn’t by design. As the 2025 MLB season approaches, one particular $38.5 million free agent signing is looking worse by the day—and the Mets, despite their aggressive spending history, are suddenly looking fortunate for missing out.
The player in question? Former All-Star pitcher Lucas Giolito. The veteran right-hander signed a two-year, $38.5 million deal this offseason with the Boston Red Sox, a move that was widely viewed as a solid investment at the time. However, fast forward a few months, and Giolito has suffered a major setback—undergoing season-ending elbow surgery before even throwing a pitch for Boston.
The Mets were reportedly in the mix for Giolito early in free agency, considering him as a mid-rotation addition to bolster their staff. With injuries to key arms and uncertainty surrounding their pitching depth, the front office had serious interest. But after prioritizing other moves, New York ultimately passed on the deal, allowing Boston to sign the 29-year-old instead. Now, with Giolito out for the season and the Red Sox left scrambling for answers, Mets fans have reason to breathe a sigh of relief.
This isn’t the first time the Mets have had their fair share of free agency missteps, particularly with big-money deals that haven’t panned out.
But in this case, their restraint—intentional or not—has proven to be a blessing in disguise. Instead of committing nearly $40 million to a pitcher who won’t see the mound in 2025, the Mets can now look elsewhere for reinforcements as they aim to stay competitive in a loaded NL East.
While the offseason has had its ups and downs for New York, missing out on Giolito’s contract could be one of the more fortunate breaks they’ve had in recent memory. With the season ahead, Mets fans will be watching closely to see if the team can turn that luck into real success on the field.
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