Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito has declined his end of a $19 mutual option and is now a free agent, a source confirmed Monday.

The decision comes as no surprise. Mutual options, which need to be exercised by both sides, are usually mechanisms that allow teams to manipulate CBT (competitive balance tax) numbers and are almost never picked up.

The Red Sox have until Nov. 18 to decide whether to extend the 31-year-old a $22.025 million qualifying offer . Offering it to him would allow Boston to receive draft pick compensation if he signs with another team in free agency this offseason.

Giolito initially signed a two-year, $38.5 million contract in December 2023 , but he missed the 2024 season due to an elbow injury. He underwent a season-ending internal bracing procedure on March 13,

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