The San Diego Padres found their reliable depth piece. This morning, the club announced on X that they had signed free agent starting pitcher Lucas Giolito to a one-year contract with a mutual option for the 2027 season.
Welcome to San Diego, Lucas!
We have signed right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito to a one-year contract with a mutual option for the 2027 season. pic.twitter.com/2fF8lMmYn6
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 22, 2026
Last Remaining Top Free Agent off the Board
Giolito was the last remaining top free agent on the board from the offseason. He had remained there seemingly due to a dispute between clubs and his agents about the contract he deserved. At the beginning of the offseason, many predicted he would garner a multi-year contract worth anywhere from $20-40 million.
It’s unclear yet how much San Diego got him for. But Giolito was linked last week to both the Friars and the Chicago Cubs (teams in desperate need of pitching help). He’ll be a great option to supplant knuckleballer Matt Waldron in the rotation until Nick Pivetta returns from injury.
Giolito possesses a career 4.30 ERA and 1.26 WHIP, proving he’s a veritable back-end option. Flashing potential last season with a 3.41 ERA, but unfortunately, injuries have derailed his recent years. The Friars are hopeful that he can put up a healthy year with them, adding comfortable depth to a rotation that previously lacked it.
Starting in Low-A
The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Kevin Acee also reported that Giolito will start his 2026 season with the Friars in Low-A Lake Elsinore. But he has to be placed on the active roster within 25 days, so that supposed timeline then has him joining the team in mid-May.
That time with Low-A will likely be used mostly to evaluate Giolito. He’s repeatedly stated that he’s been working out and pitching all through the offseason to stay ready. San Diego will certainly want to evaluate that before calling him up. But, if all goes well, Giolito could make his first start in the Brown and Gold sooner than we think.
The Friar Faithful have been worried regarding the starting rotation. Barring a ridiculous salary for the year, this is an A.J. Preller move that just about everybody can approve of.
Main Photo Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
