Chicago White Sox News: Lucas Giolito Open to South Side Return

Former Chicago White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito has told MLB.com that he would be open to returning to the team as a free agent next season.

Giolito was traded to the Los Angels Angels on Wednesday, along with Reynaldo Lopez. Giolitio is a free agent at the end of this season, and he’s said on numerous occasions he wanted to remain with the Sox.

MLB.com spoke with Giolito before he departed Chicago, and according to the article, Giolito did not rule out a return to the Sox next year.

During his time in Chicago, Giolito had a 59-52 record. His numbers also included a 4.20 ERA. He tossed 993 strikeouts, pitched 929 innings, and started 162 games.

He came to Sox from the Washington Nationals along with Lopez, and after struggling in 2018, he became of the team’s best starters. He pitched a no-hitter against Pittsburgh in 2020.

Giolito was also instrumental in getting Ethan Katz, one of his high-school coaches, hired as the White Sox pitching coach.

Former Chicago White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito did not rule out signing with the team in the off-season.

Trading Giolito may make logical sense as the Sox try to re-tool the roster after a failed rebuild, but it is a bit frustrating to watch one of the team’s best players and nicest people leave since others on the team did not do their job. The failure of others to do their jobs well is why the Sox have the fourth-worst record in baseball in a year in which they were expected to compete to win the American League Central.

Perhaps if Giolito returns to the South Side in 2024, he can help a re-made team actually finally live up to its promise. The past two seasons have been extreme disappointments, and it would make a great story if the Sox redeem themselves next season with help from Lucas Giolitio.