Another pitching target is passed over by the Mets, who select an even more desperate squad.

The New York Mets are fortunate to have signed Luis Severino early in the summer; otherwise, they would have a 0-3 record when it comes to signing free-agent pitchers.

In terms of adding to its rotation, New York suffered its second “L” in a straight when Lucas Giolito selected the Boston Red Sox over the New York Mets on Friday (yes, even though Yoshinobu Yamamoto was destined to select the Los Angeles Dodgers). According to sources, Giolito inked a $38.5 million, two-year contract with an opt-out clause after 2024.

“The Mets were among the most aggressive teams trying to sign Lucas Giolito and indeed made an offer, per source,” reported Tim Healey of Newsday. On December 26, the New York Post revealed that the right-hander was a “strong interest” of the Mets.

In 184 1/3 innings last season, Giolito gave up a league-high 41 home runs while recording a 4.88 ERA—his second consecutive season with an ERA close to 5 (4.90 in 2022). However, following a trade from the Chicago White Sox and a subsequent waiver claim, it was his performances with the Los Angeles Angels (6.89 ERA, 32 2/3 innings) and Cleveland Guardians (7.04 ERA, 30 2/3 innings) that raised the most questions.

Giolito has not lived up to his hype as the Washington Nationals’ once-great prospect, but he has shown himself to be an innings eater, which is still useful. He has tossed at least 160 innings in each of the last five complete seasons.

Giolito has a career 9.6 K/9 and a 4.43 ERA, but he is 29 years old and has upside in the lower (and less risky) end of the starting pitching market.

Giolito joins a Red Sox rotation that finished 22nd in MLB last season with a 4.68 ERA and a lot of question marks. After the Red Sox dealt Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves on Saturday in exchange for infield prospect Vaughn Grissom, reports state that Nick Pivetta, Brayan Bello, Tanner Houck, and Kutter Crawford are also projected to be in the rotation by Fangraphs.

David Stearns, president of baseball operations for the Mets, will keep looking to bolster a rotation that concluded 2023 with a 4.20 ERA. Beyond the current expected five players—Kodai Senga, José Quintana, Severino, Adrian Houser, and Tylor Megill—the rotation still needs more stability.

Michael Lorenzen, Hyun-jin Ryu, Mike Clevinger, and Shōta Imanaga are still possibilities.