Cubs, Padres Target Lucas Giolito as Rotation Depth Concerns Mount

Lucas Giolito remains a free agent as the 2026 season enters its third month, with the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres reportedly among the teams pursuing the right-hander. According to a report from The Athletic, both clubs are showing interest in Giolito, who is seeking a deal near his projected market value. Giolito has yet to sign with a team despite talks with multiple clubs, citing a gap between what he believes he's worth and what teams are offering.

The 31-year-old Giolito posted a 3.41 ERA across 145 innings for the Boston Red Sox in 2025. However, his underlying numbers tell a different story. His 4.17 FIP and 4.65 SIERA suggest his ERA was inflated by a .273 BABIP and 76.7% strand rate. Giolito also struck out 19.7% of batters and walked 9.1%, both below his career averages. He has not pitched since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024.

In a recent interview with Rob Bradford of the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast, Giolito said he has had discussions with teams but has not reached an agreement. “I just want to play for close to what my value is,” he said. “Everything is based on these models now. When you look at models and projections, it’s like ‘alright cool, give me something that’s relatively close to that.’ Let’s go and get it. I’m ready to go.”

Giolito’s market is complicated by his recent injury history and the fact that he is throwing just 75 pitches on his own to stay game-ready. This mirrors the situation of Patrick Corbin, who signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in similar circumstances. Giolito’s current status as a free agent is unusual since Max Scherzer and Zack Littell had already signed by mid-March.

For the Cubs, adding Giolito could provide much-needed stability. Their rotation took a hit with Cade Horton’s season-ending UCL surgery and Matthew Boyd’s recent biceps strain. They also wait for Justin Steele to return from last year’s Tommy John surgery. If Giolito signs, he could push Javier Assad back to the minors or move Colin Rea into a relief role.

The Padres are also in need of rotation depth after Nick Pivetta exited a recent start with elbow tightness and Joe Musgrove remains sidelined from 2024 surgery. Their current group includes Michael King, Randy Vásquez, and Walker Buehler, with mixed results so far. Adding Giolito would provide a more proven arm but could be complicated by the ongoing sale of the team.

Other clubs may also enter the mix. The Houston Astros have lost three starters to the IL, and the Baltimore Orioles recently placed Zach Eflin on the shelf. The Cincinnati Reds are also dealing with injuries to Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo.

The Cubs are expected to pay the competitive balance tax in 2026, giving them financial flexibility. The Padres, meanwhile, may be hesitant to add payroll during the sale process. Giolito’s next move will depend on how teams value his upside and how quickly a deal can be reached. The next few weeks will determine if the Cubs, Padres, or another club lands his services.