The Boston Red Sox are hoping for a bounce-back season in 2024.
Each of the past two seasons, the Red Sox have won 78 games and finished in last place in the AL East.
So the Red Sox decided to be aggressive at the start of free agency to improve their team.
One player they brought in was starting pitcher Lucas Giolito.
He has had some good seasons during his career and was an upgrade for the Red Sox.
Unfortunately, he will not throw one inning this year for them.
Giolito suffered a UCL injury in spring training, so he had to undergo surgery and will miss the entire 2024 season.
According to Jon Morosi, Giolito underwent successful UCL surgery.
News on Lucas Giolito:
Per the Red Sox, he “underwent a successful right elbow ulnar collateral ligament repair with internal brace.”@MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) March 13, 2024
It is good news to hear the surgery was successful, but still a bitter result for the Red Sox.
Giolito was going to be a top-of-the-rotation starter, now they need someone else to fill his shoes.
Boston is projected to finish last in the AL East once again.
The division is loaded and the Red Sox do not have the talent of their counterparts.
But, free agency is not over yet.
Boston can look to add another starting pitcher with the likes of Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell still available.
Either would fill the void left by Giolito.
Ultimately, it comes down to how serious the Red Sox are about winning.
Their fan base does not take well to consistently missing the playoffs.
But, if they do not make more moves the Red Sox are in danger of missing the playoffs for the third straight year.
NEXT: New Red Sox Pitcher Officially Sees His Season End Today