Red Sox roster moves: No qualifying offer for Lucas Giolito; Cooper Criswell re-signed; Luis Guerrero designated for assignment

The Red Sox are not going to issue right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito the one-year, $22.025-qualifying offer, according to multiple reports.

Giolito became a free agent earlier this week when the club declined his mutual option for 2026.

The veteran had a solid season both on and off the field, serving as one of the leaders of the pitching staff while recording a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts. He made $19 million last season and will collect a $1.5 million buyout on the mutual option. If the Sox were to place the qualifying offer on the veteran, it would not be a significant bump in salary.

Even though the Red Sox declined the qualifying offer, it doesn’t rule out a possible return to Boston. His market should benefit from not having the QO, resulting in a team giving up draft pick compensation.

The 31-year-old player rebounded nicely in 2025 after missing the entire 2024 season due to elbow surgery he underwent during spring training. The start of his 2025 season was delayed by a hamstring strain, but he was still able to make 26 starts while recording a 3.41 ERA and striking out 121 batters in 145 innings. 

Giolito, along with Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello, anchored Alex Cora's rotation as Boston navigated the summer.

Unfortunately, health derailed his opportunity to help the Red Sox in the postseason, as he suffered a right elbow injury towards the end of the regular season, prompting the Sox to shut him down for the playoffs. An MRI revealed irritation in his right flexor tendon but no structural damage. His late-season arm issue might impact his market in free agency in terms of years.

If the Sox had offered Giolito the QO, they could have gotten draft pick compensation if he signed with another team, similar to last winter when Nick Pivetta agreed to a deal with the Padres. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow could offer Giolito a two-year deal with incentives to lure him back to Boston. ESPN recently projected that the righty would earn a two-year, $32 million deal this winter ($16 million AAV).

One key need for the club is landing a No. 2 starter to slot behind Crochet, and they could look to fill that need via the trade market. The Sox are loaded with young arms, with Connelly Early, Payton Tolle, Kyle Harrison, Richard Fitts, and David Sandlin as options to compete for the rotation. Veterans Kutter Crawford, Patrick Sandoval, and Cooper Criswell are also internal options.

There isn’t anyone else the Red Sox could place the QO on ahead of free agency. Alex Bregman was not eligible after receiving it from the Astros last year. Righty Dustin May and left-hander Steven Matz were ineligible because they were acquired in trades during the season.

Thirteen players around the league received qualifying offers and will be attached to draft pick compensation: Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker, Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette, Astros southpaw Framber Valdez, Padres righties Dylan Cease and Michael King, Phillies lefty Ranger Suárez, Mets closer Edwin Díaz, Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen, Cubs starter Shota Imanaga, Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham, Tigers infielder Gleyber Torres, and Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff.

Some of those players will be the Red Sox’ targets this offseason, with Schwarber, Cease, Bichette, and Gallen as options.

Giolito signed with the Red Sox during Breslow’s first offseason as CBO in Boston. He signed a two-year, $38.5 million contract (that included a player option for 2025). He received a $1.5 million buyout when his mutual option was declined early this week.

CRISWELL AGREES TO NEW DEAL

Speaking of Criswell, the tall right-hander is coming back to Boston, agreeing to an $800,000 one-year deal, according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.

Criswell was a pre-arbitration player and was not eligible for free agency. He takes a small pay cut after making $1 million over each of the last two seasons with the Red Sox. His new deal prevents him from being a non-tender candidate later this month,, and he will be in the mix for a spot in the Red Sox rotation.

The righty provides the Sox internal depth, but he is out of minor league options as he heads into the 2026 season. If the club wants to move him to the minors, he will need to clear waivers and accept an outright assignment.

He posted a 3.57 ERA in 17.2 innings, with his most notable outing coming on Aug. 1, when he was called up for an emergency spot start and allowed one run over seven innings in an eventual extra-innings win over the Houston Astros. Since he signed with the Red Sox, Criswell has helped the club as both a starter and a reliever, offering value while on the 26-man roster and with the WooSox. 

"I feel like I'm most comfortable (starting)," Criswell said following his spot start for the Red Sox in August. "I also feel like I do any role, almost, to help the team win. Whatever they want from me, I'm open to doing. But yeah, it is nice. I feel like I've been stringing together some good starts in Worcester, and getting this opportunity was nice.

He also posted a 3.70 ERA over 65.2 innings in Triple-A, and in 2024 he posted a 4.08 ERA over 99.1 innings in the majors, including 18 starts.

Criswell landed on the WooSox’ 7-day injured list in mid-August and didn’t pitch again last season.

In five seasons, Criswell has pitched with the Angels, Rays, and Red Sox. He’s pitched in 45 big league games, recording a 4.48 ERA in 154 2/3 innings with 113 strikeouts.

GUERRERO DFA'D

The Red Sox designated right-handed reliever Luis Guerrero for assignment, clearing room on the 40-man roster.

Guerrero, 25, pitched in 13 games for the Sox this season, recording a 4.15 ERA. He made his major league debut in 2023, making nine appearances while not allowing a run.

The hard-throwing reliever offers a high-octane fastball, touching the upper 90s, but struggles with his command and control. In 17 1/3 innings this season, he walked 14 batters while in Boston.

Guerrero last pitched for the Red Sox on June 27 against the Blue Jays, when he went 1/3 of an inning and allowed two runs on a walk and two hits. He would be placed on the 15-day injured list the next day for a right elbow strain before being transferred to the 60-day injured list on August 2.