Although the Orioles were seen as frontrunners to acquire free agent pitcher Framber Valdez, they ultimately missed out as he signed with the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. Valdez inked a three-year, $115 million contract, becoming the top starting pitcher to find a new home months after free agency opened. The Orioles, hesitant to commit to the $38 million average annual salary required to land the 32-year-old lefty, have now missed out on the top pitcher in the market for two consecutive years after failing to re-sign Corbin Burnes, whom they had traded for ahead of the 2024 season.
While there are still a few free agents available, none are as appealing as Valdez. This leaves the Orioles searching for alternatives to bolster their starting rotation.
Best Available: Zac Gallen
A notable free agent still on the market is former Arizona Diamondback Zac Gallen. Despite having the worst season of his career, which saw him finish with a 13-18 record and a 4.83 ERA in 33 starts, Gallen has a solid 3.58 career ERA and was among the top pitchers in the majors a few years back. In 2023, he earned an All-Star nod and finished third in the Cy Young Award voting. At 30 years old, he is younger than Valdez and should come at a lower price point. However, with Gallen now the premier player remaining, other teams in search of starting pitchers may outbid the Orioles.
Gallen presents the last viable opportunity for the Orioles to secure a true top-of-the-rotation pitcher. The key question is whether he can rebound from a disappointing season to regain his prior dominance from 2020 to 2024.
Solid Option: Lucas Giolito
Another name in play for the Orioles is 32-year-old Lucas Giolito. The nine-year veteran, who was an All-Star in 2019 with the Chicago White Sox, spent the last season with the Boston Red Sox, achieving a 10-4 record with a 3.60 ERA in 26 starts. His performance against the AL East was particularly strong, finishing with a 3-1 record and a 1.47 ERA in eight starts.
Giolito may not be the standout name Orioles fans had hoped for, but if healthy, he could provide valuable depth in a rotation that lacked sufficient starters last season. Additionally, he might serve as a short-term solution that the team could consider.
Wild Card: Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander, a future Hall of Famer, remains a free agent as the season approaches, even as he turns 43. Coming off a solid season with the San Francisco Giants, where he posted a 3.85 ERA in 29 starts, Verlander brings an impressive resume that includes two World Series titles and three Cy Young Awards. He could be a valuable veteran presence in the Orioles’ clubhouse, aiding in the development of their younger pitchers.
While he might end up as the team’s fourth or fifth starter rather than the top-tier arm they seek, Verlander could be a beneficial short-term option if the Orioles need a replacement due to injury.
