JUST IN: After Kenta Maeda signing, Detroit tigers are set to finalized the deal for another sensational free Agent – Contract length and payment structure in Bargain

The Detroit Tigers have reportedly agreed to terms with free agent pitcher Kenta Maeda on a two-year, $24 million contract. Maeda is the fourth major starter to be selected this offseason.

The Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a massive contract extension with Aaron Nola, while the St. Louis Cardinals signed both Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson to long-term deals. While Nola was most likely not on the Cincinnati Reds’ radar during the offseason, the other three pitchers were.

With Maeda, Lynn, and Gibson no longer on the market, the market for low-end and mid-tier starters is taking shape. With this in mind, the Reds should intensify their talks with free agent starter Lucas Giolito.

The Reds should step up their talks with Lucas Giolito.
Before you start laughing at the prospect of Cincinnati signing free agent Lucas Giolito, don’t pretend you weren’t in the same camp as nearly every other Reds fan who wanted the right-hander to clear waivers this summer.

The Reds Nation was holding its breath after the Los Angeles Angels waived Giolito just a few weeks after acquiring the right-hander in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. Giolito instead went to Cleveland and finished the season with the Guardians.

In 2023, Giolito did not have his best season. He was 8-15 with a 4.88 ERA as a former first-round pick. Giolito was still able to get swings and misses, which the Reds coaching staff coveted.

For the second time in three seasons, the 29-year-old posted a 25.7 percent strikeout rate with over 200 punch outs. Giolito also made at least 30 starts for the third consecutive season. If the Reds are looking for a dependable starting pitcher, there aren’t many better options than Giolito.

Lucas Giolito allowed the most home runs in the American League in 2023.
Of course, there are some disadvantages. Last season, Lucas Giolito led the American League in home runs allowed (41). Despite allowing 44 balls to leave the yard in 2023, Lance Lynn just signed a new contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Giolito’s 41 large flies surrendered is also an outlier. Giolito’s career high for home runs allowed prior to 2023 was 27. Giolito has allowed 1.5 home runs per nine innings pitched over his eight-year career.

Giolito’s numbers prior to the trade deadline were also impressive. The right-hander had a 3.79 ERA in 21 starts with a 118 ERA+ and 1.223 WHIP before being traded from the South Side. However, after being traded, Giolito’s stats plummeted.

Most MLB experts anticipate that Lucas Giolito will seek a short-term contract that will allow him to re-enter free agency as soon as next offseason.

With so many young and talented pitchers in the Cincinnati Reds organization, investing millions of dollars and three-plus years in a pitcher on the wrong side of 30 seems a bit foolish. That’s how much a pitcher like Sonny Gray, Eduardo Rodriguez, or Jordan Montgomery would cost.

Instead, the Reds should intensify negotiations with Giolito in order to secure the top of their rotation for the 2024 season.