Ahead of Thursday’s deadline, the Red Sox did not issue a qualifying offer to free agent starter Lucas Giolito, sources confirmed.

Giolito, who became a free agent earlier this week when his mutual option for 2026 was declined , was thought to be a candidate to receive the qualifying offer, which is valued as a one-year, $22.025 million offer for 2026. He would then have been able to accept that deal and re-sign before the November 18 deadline for such decisions, or decline it, guaranteeing the Red Sox draft pick compensation if he signed elsewhere. By not issuing the qualifying offer, Boston will not receive a draft pick if Giolito signs elsewhere. He may still re-sign with the club — and his market will likely benefit from the fact clubs won’t have to sacrifice a pick to sign him.

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