Padres' Lucas Giolito makes Cubs and other MLB teams look foolish for free agent decision

Padres' Lucas Giolito makes Cubs and other MLB teams look foolish for free agent decision originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The San Diego Padres are one of the best teams in Major League Baseball so far in 2026, with their 28-18 record just a half-game back of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.

While the Padres need a lot more offensive output from players like Fernando Tatis Jr. , Manny Machado, and Jackson Merrill, the starting rotation might have been the biggest need. But, maybe not anymore, thanks to Lucas Giolito.

AJ Cassavell of MLB. com shared how Giolito's start to his stint with the Padres is just what the Padres wanted, and should be something that makes MLB clubs question their decision-making. Lucas Giolito's production should make MLB clubs question their FA decision "If Lucas Giolito pitches like this, there are going to be a lot of teams wondering why they didn't sign him," Cassavell writes.

Giolito made his debut for the Padres against the Seattle Mariners , and looking at his statistics, it's a wonder why teams should regret missing on Giolito so much. He allowed three runs in five innings of work, which is a 5. 40 ERA, and not really impressive.