During the Winter Meetings in 2016, the Chicago White Sox traded veteran outfielder Adam Eaton, sending him to the Washington Nationals.
In turn, the Nationals sent three pitchers to Chicago: Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, and Dane Dunning.
The White Sox were patient with Giolito and helped him work through some command issues.
Their patience was rewarded with three straight seasons with an ERA between 3.41 and 3.53 between 2019 and 2021.
His streak of solid performances came to an end in 2022, when he posted a mediocre 4.90 ERA in 161.2 frames with the pale hose.
Despite the uneven 2022, Giolito had already made himself quite a bit of money with his 2019-2021 performance.
He is one of dozens of players who have settled with their teams on a 2023 salary.
He did pretty well for himself.
“Right-hander Lucas Giolito and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a one-year, $10.4 million contract to avoid arbitration, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN,” MLB insider Jeff Passan tweeted.
Right-hander Lucas Giolito and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a one-year, $10.4 million contract to avoid arbitration, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2023
It’s a nice payday for the 28-year-old changeup artist.
He will be headed to free agency after the 2023 World Series finalizes, and will likely be one of the most coveted assets when the time comes.
That is unless the White Sox can work out a contract extension with him.
If not, he will be hitting the market as a 29-year-old pitcher in his prime, and those have made a lot of money in recent years.
He will, of course, increase his value if he can calm the concerns resulting from his 2022 performance.
He has the talent to do it.
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