(670 The Score) White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito is plenty interested in a long-term contract extension with the club, but those negotiations aren't taking place just yet.
"I'm open to it," Giolito said on a Zoom call Thursday. "I'm always interested in a long-term contract, something that would make me a White Sox player for a life."
Giolito, 27, is under contract control through 2023. His representation has had exploratory conversations with the White Sox front office in the past. Giolito posted a 3.53 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 178 2/3 innings across 31 starts in 2021.
"The business of baseball is the business of baseball," Giolito said. "A lot of that is out of my hands. So for the time being, I will focus on what I can control, which is getting better and especially in the offseason right now getting my body stronger and honing in and refining some of my pitching (mechanics). Just getting ready to go out there and give it my all for the team. That's all I can control. There aren't any conversations going on at the moment."
Giolito is the White Sox's player representative for the union and expressed hope that a lockout or strike can be avoided as the collective bargaining agreement is set to expire on Dec. 1.
"We have learned a lot, and the union does a great job of educating us on what's happened in the past," Giolito said. "I feel we have a very good group of guys on the executive sub-committee. They are very knowledgeable and well-spoken about these matters. This is definitely huge coming up here soon. We have been having tons of meetings. The union and MLB have been working through things. Both sides want to get something done. Nobody wants baseball to stop. That is not what either side wants. We must continue to work through these negotiations and find some common ground."
Giolito contracted and recovered from COVID-19 recently, he said. That caused him to miss Game 2 of the World Series between the Braves and Astros, but he made it to Game 6 to support Atlanta left-hander Max Fried, his high school teammate and friend.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
