MLB Notebook: Healthy Lucas Giolito wants back in Boston; Story explains the opt-in decision; Guardians pitchers indicted on charges; a look around the league

The Red Sox' decision not to place the $22.025 million qualifying offer on Lucas Giolito did not come as a surprise to the right-hander.

While appearing on Audacy’s Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast with Rob Bradford, Giolito said he was never expecting to receive the QO after ending the season with a right elbow injury.

“I wasn’t banking on it,” Giolito said. “I was pretty sure I wasn’t gonna get it. Because I ended the year injured. That’s how it works. You end the year hurt; you’re not in a good spot to command a qualifying offer or whatever. So moving on.

“I thought it was obvious. I went into this offseason knowing full well I’d be a free agent. You end the year hurt; it puts a bad taste in the team’s mouth. It is what it is. The fortunate part was that it was like the most benign, weird freak injury that went away after a few days.”

Giolito missed the American League Wild Card round loss against the Yankees. He began to feel elbow soreness toward the end of the season, not rebounding after starting down the stretch. Prior to the start of the series, he flew to Alabama to see a specialist and learned he had no ligament damage but that the flexor and bone issues he is dealing with in his throwing arm are too much to try to pitch through.

Rookie Connelly Early ended up pitching Game 3 in place of Giolito. Boston lost the final two games of the series and was eliminated from the postseason.

“Within three days, my elbow felt 100% fine again...,” Giolito said. “There’s no injury. Whatever injury there was, it’s gone. It was like a weird freak thing that just popped up at the worst possible time.”

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.

Giolito began his offseason throwing program in Boston in mid-October. He’s continued his training at the popular Cressey Sports Performance in Palm Beach Gardens. With free agency officially underway, the righty feels confident teams will be interested in him after seeing his medical records.

“For me, I’m not going into free agency hurt,” Giolito said. “For front offices, they might view it that way. I’m happy to prove I’m fully healthy in any way possible.”

Boston is expected to pursue a No. 2 starter in free agency or via the trade market to slot behind ace Garrett Crochet. The Sox are loaded with young arms, with Early, Payton Tolle, Kyle Harrison, Richard Fitts, Hunter Dobbins, and David Sandlin as options to compete for the rotation. Veterans Kutter Crawford, Patrick Sandoval, and Cooper Criswell are also internal options.

Giolito could come back after spending the last two years in the Sox’ organization. He’s interested in coming back but understands the business behind baseball.

“I made it clear to everybody that I’d love to come back here and continue to play for the Red Sox,” he said. “It’s the most fun I’ve ever had having a season with a team in the big leagues. I feel like the way it ended left such a bad taste in my mouth and the rest of the team, particularly me not being able to pitch in that playoff series. It really sucked.

“I really hope I can come back and it goes a little bit better for us next time... But it’s got to be a mutual thing.”

WHY STORY OPTED IN AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE INFIELD

Trevor Story chose to opt into the remaining two years and $50 million on his contract with the Red Sox this week. The deal will also pay him a $5 million buyout if the Red Sox elect to decline an option for a third year.

The 32-year-old could have opted out and tested the free agent market but ultimately chose to remain in Boston.

“At this point in my career, it’s not about making decisions based on money. It never has been,” Story told NESN’s 310 to Left podcast this week.

“To me, it’s pretty simple. There’s not another organization I want to be a part of. I’m just in love with the place, and [I’ve] got some unfinished business.”

Story told teammates that after the season ended, he intended to honor the final years of his deal with the Red Sox.

“This is where I want to be,” Story says he explained to fellow Red Sox. “I came here for a reason, and we’re finally good. I’m not going to leave when it’s time to start skyrocketing. We just feel like it’s the best place to be in baseball right now, and we feel like it’s really close to being what we all imagine.”

Over the course of his tenure in Boston, Story has dealt with numerous injuries, limiting his time on the field. He underwent elbow surgery in January 2023. As Story ramped up his offseason throwing program, he started experiencing pain in his throwing elbow and ultimately underwent surgery. Instead of undergoing Tommy John surgery, he went with the less invasive version, opting for the internal brace procedure.

Story underwent shoulder surgery in April 2024, after dislocating his shoulder and fracturing the glenoid rim while diving for a ball in Anaheim. He missed a chunk of the season before returning later that summer. Injuries have limited Story to just 69 games from 2023 to 2024.

He had his first successful season as a member of the Red Sox, where he hit .263 with a team-leading 25 homers while driving in 96 RBI in 157 games. A healthy Story reminds Sox fans why he was one of the most electrifying middle infielders in the game—turning double plays with ease, driving balls into the Monster seats, and stabilizing a defense that too often unraveled without him.

With Story back in the mix, the Red Sox have one infielder who can be penciled into the lineup for next season. Boston does not have an everyday solution at second base, after numerous players played the position, including Kristian Campbell, Marcelo Mayer, Romy Gonzalez, Nick Sogard, Ceddanne Rafaela, and David Hamilton.

Alex Bregman is a free agent and looking to secure a long-term deal. The 32-year-old left two years and $80 million on the table to get one last payday. Boston could move Mayer to third base and take the money owed to Bregman and reinvest it elsewhere on the roster.

Mayer hasn’t played a full professional season since he was drafted in the first round during the 2021 MLB Draft. He made his big league debut this season after Bregman suffered a significant right quad injury that shelved him for two months. Unfortunately, a wrist injury that he suffered on a check swing limited Mayer to just 87 games and ended his rookie season.

The Red Sox aren’t concerned whether Mayer will produce as an everyday big leaguer, but the concern is whether he’ll be healthy enough to be an everyday big leaguer.

The Sox could slide Story back to second base, where he played his first season in Boston during Xander Bogaerts' final season in Boston. If Story plays second base, Mayer can play his natural position of shortstop, allowing Bregman to play third base if he comes back or the club signs or trades for someone.

Rafaela played some games at second base, but the 2025 American League Gold Glove winner in center field should remain in the outfield.

Campbell is signed long-term, and after coming out of the gate hot to begin the season, he looked like the solution at second base. Then the rest of the league figured him out, and Campbell struggled mightily offensively and was demoted back to Triple-A Worcester.

Then there’s first base. Triston Casas is in the mix to play at some point in 2026. He is rehabbing back from a season-ending knee injury. Gonzalez should figure into the mix at first base again, but the Sox would be better suited to find an everyday solution at the position and utilize him two or three games a week (particularly against southpaws).

Pete Alonso, Josh Naylor, and Ryan O’Hearn are all free agent options at first base. The issue with two of the three players on that list is that Naylor and O’Hearn are both lefties, and you could argue the Sox need to balance their lineup with additional right-handed bats.

A healthy 2026 season from Story will be crucial for the Red Sox as they look to get back to the postseason for a second straight season.

FanGraphs recently dropped their Streamer projections for 2026, which factors in injury history and natural age curve for players, and the veteran projects the following offensively:

100 G, 433 PA, .246/.297/.412, 15 HR, 54 RBI, 15 SB, 26.7% K%, 6% BB%, 1.2 WAR.

FanGraphs expects a regression from Story and expects him to miss time for whatever reason. There is a 57-game drop-off from last season, as Story played in 157 games, tying the most games played in his career, a mark initially set in 2018 when he was with the Rockies.

Despite the projections, Red Sox fans should have higher expectations for Story, which should include him having another 25-homer season, and if healthy, that should propel him into a 2.5-3 WAR player in 2026.

An outside-the-box thought: could the Red Sox trade Story this winter?

Story is entering his 11th big league season, and if he plays this season with the Red Sox, he will become a 10/5 player, meaning he would have accrued 10 years of Major League service time and spent the past five consecutive years with the same team and be awarded 10-and-5 rights. Under these circumstances, a player can veto any trade scenario that is proposed.

The 10/5 rights aren't the end-all be-all for the Red Sox and Story, with just two years left on his deal, it would be hard to imagine he'd turn down a trade elsewhere in the league. 

Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow could shop Story this winter to see what upgrade he could make to the roster and then utilize Mayer as their everyday shortstop.

The free agent shortstop class isn’t very deep and is led by Bo Bichette. There is a massive drop-off from there with World Series hero Miguel Rojas, Ha-Seong Kim, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Jorge Mateo, Orlando Arcia, and Tim Anderson as options for teams.

Boston will likely not trade Story, but based off the free agents available and having a young in-house option, Breslow can look to be creative and capitalize on a team needing a veteran to stabilize its infield.

DOWN ON THE FARM

- Red Sox prospects Stanley Tucker and Luis Perales were named Arizona Fall League Fall Stars this week. The two players will play in the Fall Stars Game on Sunday night in Arizona.

Tucker, a 2023 19th-round pick out of Texas A&M during the 2023 MLB Draft, enjoyed a strong AFL season, where he hit .288/.397/.333 with three doubles, 14 RBI, 10 runs, and 12 walks in 20 games for the Salt River Rafters. He’s also stolen 12 of 14 bases.

“I’ve learned a lot from our staff,” Tucker said in an interview with Beyond the Monster last week on soaking up the knowledge and experience in the AFL. “We have a great group of coaches from the organizations on our squad who have a bunch of knowledge. It’s always good to learn new outlooks on the game and find different ways to improve. The main advice has been just to go out, play your game, and have fun.”

Perales, 22, who ranks as the Red Sox’ No. 8 prospect, according to Baseball America, has struggled in his time down in the desert. Despite his struggles, he’s getting much-needed time on the mound after missing almost 15 months following Tommy John surgery, which he underwent on June 27, 2024.

Prior to playing in the AFL, he pitched in three games for the Portland Sea Dogs and WooSox before the 2025 minor league season came to a close.

In five starts in the Arizona Fall League, Perales has allowed 12 runs, 11 earned runs, 14 hits, and 10 walks while striking out 16 in 10 1/3 innings.

- The Red Sox Single-A affiliate, the Salem Red Sox, has a new name and identity heading into 2026. The minor league affiliate unveiled their new name and logo on Saturday night, the Salem RidgeYaks.

The new name, look, and mascot all celebrate outdoor adventure within the community to honor the Blue Ridge Mountains in Southwest Virginia.

The rebrand marks a new era of baseball in Salem, and the club will still remain the Single-A affilate of the Boston Red Sox.

“This is a great moment for baseball in Salem,” said RidgeYaks' general manager Allen Lawrence. “The RidgeYaks are a creative and symbolic reflection of our community. That’s what Minor League Baseball is all about—it’s fun, it’s unique, and it brings people together.”

Salem will debut their new brand on Opening Day next season, which is set for April 2nd, as the RidgeYaks play host to Delmarva at Carilion Clinic Field.

- Last January, the Red Sox traded left-handed reliever Cam Booser to the White Sox and received then 18-year-old righty Yhoiker Fajardo.

The young lottery ticket had a dominant first year in the Red Sox’ system, pitching to a 1-4, 2.08, having posted a 0.44 ERA in six appearances in the Florida Complex League before his promotion to Salem.While in Salem, he made 13 starts and recorded a 2.98 ERA with 59 strikeouts to 20 walks and a 10.34 K/9.

When he was initially acquired, SoxProspects had ranked him as the No. 40 overall prospect in the system. He’s since jumped to No. 11 overall and could be ticketed for Double-A Portland at some point next season, based off how he pitched in 2025.

A LOOK AROUND THE LEAGUE

- Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted by prosecutors in Brooklyn, New York, on Sunday, related to a scheme to rig bets on pitches thrown in MLB games.

Ortiz was arrested in Boston, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, and Clase is currently not in police custody.

Prosecutors are alleging that Ortiz was paid $5,000 for throwing an intentional ball on June 15 and Clase was given $5,000 for facilitating it. Both players did it a second time on June 27, according to the indictment. The payment for each on that pitch was $7,000 apiece for each pitcher.

Both pitchers face up to 65 years in prison if convicted on all charges, according to the Eastern District of New York, which indicted them on fraud, conspiracy, and bribery charges.

Major League Baseball released a statement to ESPN following the announcement of the charges, saying:

“MLB contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and has fully cooperated throughout the process. We are aware of the indictment and today's arrest, and our investigation is ongoing.”

Ortiz’s agent, Chris Georgalis, released a statement to ESPN stating his client is "innocent of the charges related to two pitches he threw" and that "he has always given his best effort in every inning of every game."

Georgalis added, “There is no credible evidence Luis knowingly did anything other than try to win games with every pitch, every inning. Luis looks forward to fighting these charges in court. The government’s case is weak and circumstantial.

“He will defend himself, and he will prevail.”

The Guardians denied both pitchers the opportunity to pitch in Venezuela's winter ball, according to The Athletic. Clase was looking to play in Venezuela this winter because the Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican Republic barred him from pitching.

Clase is currently suing the Dominican League and its league president, Vitelio Mejía.

MLB DRAMA

- Separate from the black eye the league has gotten from the two pitchers in legal trouble, there’s a report circulating that a "deputy" of MLB commissioner Rob Manfred reportedly threatened Phillies star Bryce Harper.

Back in July, Manfred popped into the Phillies’ clubhouse for an annual visit of all big league teams. Harper reportedly got into Manfred’s face and told him to "get the (expletive) out of our clubhouse.”

The comments stemmed from a conversation around the economics of the game, and the idea of a “salary cap,” which wasn’t specifically mentioned, drew the ire of Harper.

During an appearance on “Agent Provocateur,” Allan Walsh—one of the top agents in sports but not Harper’s agent—quoted sources who he says witnessed the confrontation and said one of Manfred’s “deputies” threatened Harper.

“Don’t ever say that again to the commissioner,” Walsh said on the podcast. “Don’t ever disrespect him again publicly like that. That’s how people end up in a ditch.”

With the collective-bargaining agreement between MLB and the MLB Players Association set to expire on Dec. 1, 2026, multiple MLB owners could be looking for a salary cap in the game.

Harper, 33, is coming off a year where he hit. 261 with 27 homers and 75 RBI, with a .844 OPS, his lowest total since 2016. The left-handed slugger was reportedly unhappy with the Phillies after front office leader Dave Dombrowski made comments wondering if Harper could return to the level of an elite player again.

There’s been speculated trade talk that has begun to swirl, but the Phillies have denied the report.

“I have given my all to Philly from the start,” Harper told The Athletic back in October. “Now there is trade talk? I made every effort to avoid this. It’s all I heard in D.C. (with the Nationals). I hated it. It makes me feel uncomfortable.”

Harper has 10/5 rights and would need to approve a deal with a new club. His current 13-year, $330 million deal with the Phillies does not include an opt-out, allowing him to become a free agent.

“I wanted these fans to know Philly is my home, so from the start, I made the commitment to stay here for the rest of my career,” Harper said. “No opt-out, even though I was advised otherwise. I trust John.”

FINAL NOTES

- A brand new HBO documentary on former big leaguer Alex Rodriguez called “Alex vs. A-Rod” dropped. The series is set to explore Rodriguez's dual personalities from his personal life to his public life. A-Rod was one of the most polarizing players during his playing days, and this three-part series will do a deeper dive into the former Yankee, Ranger, and Mariner star.

- The Padres made a surprise managerial hiring and announced 13-year-veteran reliever Craig Stammen as their next skipper. The 41-year-old received a three-year contract, beating out the likes of Bruce Bochy (who expressed interest in the job), Albert Pujols (who interviewed for 9 1/2 hours), Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty, former catcher Nick Hundley, and Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla.

- The baseball community was saddened this week after learning Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia and his wife, Kayla, announced the heartbreaking news of the death of their newborn baby on Instagram.

- Padres starter Yu Darvish, 39, will miss next season after announcing he would need to undergo Tommy John surgery.

- The Royals and longtime catcher Salvador Perez reached an agreement on a two-year deal worth $25 million, the team announced. Perez made his Royals debut in 2011 and is a nine-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove winner, and was named the MVP of the 2015 World Series, when the Royals defeated the Mets for the first championship in 30 years.

- The Rockies are naming Paul DePodesta their new president of baseball operations. He returns to baseball after spending the last 10 years working for the Cleveland Browns, serving as the chief strategy officer. If you remember, DePodesta was portrayed by Jonah Hill in the movie Moneyball.

Colorado is coming off a horrendous 2025 campaign where they finished 43-119, the third-worst record in the modern era. DePodesta will have his work cut out for him taking over a big league roster devoid of talent and a farm system lacking top prospects to help change the course of the organization. 

Their two best positional player prospects are infielder Ethan Holliday and outfielder Charlie Condon, and they have catcher and 2025 All-Star, Hunter Goodman, starter Chase Dollander, outfielder Brenton Doyle, and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar to build around.

- The White Sox released former Red Sox catcher Blake Sabol this week. Chicago had acquired Sabol from Boston back in July, and he spent the majority of his time in Triple-A. The 27-year-old backstop went 2-for-18 in eight games with the Red Sox before being sent back to Worcester.