BALTIMORE — Framber Valdez’s search for a new team is over. The Orioles’ pursuit of more starting pitching, however, is not.
The O’s had interest in Valdez and met with the southpaw during the General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas in mid-November. It is not known whether the Orioles made a formal offer to the lefty or how much they were open to spending.
The money may not have been an issue. Baltimore has shown an increased willingness to offer high-dollar contracts since the David Rubenstein-led ownership group took over in March 2024. The O’s couldn’t prevent Corbin Burnes from signing with the D-backs last offseason, but they offered him a four-year, $180 million deal.
This winter, the Orioles reportedly offered Kyle Schwarber a five-year, $150 million deal before he returned to the Phillies on a contract of those exact terms. Then, Baltimore pivoted by inking slugging first baseman Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million deal.
Now, it may be time for the O’s to pivot again after missing out on Valdez.
As things stand, this is the starting-pitching landscape for the Orioles, who are set to open Spring Training in Sarasota, Fla., on Tuesday:
1. RHP Kyle Bradish
2. LHP Trevor Rogers
3. RHP Shane Baz
4. RHP Zach Eflin*
5. RHP Dean Kremer
Other 40-man roster options: RHP Tyler Wells, LHP Cade Povich, RHP Brandon Young
Notable non-roster invitees: RHP Albert Suárez, RHP Trey Gibson (O’s No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline), RHP Nestor German (O’s No. 11 prospect)
*Eflin could begin the season on the injured list because he is coming off back surgery.
Baltimore could use one more high-quality starter. Fans have been clamoring for such a move after enduring an injury-plagued 2025 season that brought an unexpected last-place finish in the American League East.
Here’s what the Orioles should do next.
1. Attempt to sign RHP Zac Gallen
With Valdez off the board, Gallen is the best remaining free-agent starter. The 30-year-old right-hander had a bit of a down season in 2025 — recording a career-worst 4.83 ERA over 33 starts — but he had a strong seven-year run with the D-backs, posting a 3.61 ERA in 169 starts.
Gallen’s best stretch came from 2022-24, when he posted a 3.20 ERA over 93 starts and earned his lone All-Star selection in ‘23. He’s a prime bounceback candidate for ‘26.
If the Orioles could land Gallen on a two- or three-year deal potentially featuring opt-outs and/or options, it would make sense for them to offer a contract with a high average annual value to bring in this type of a front-half-of-the-rotation arm. They would lose a 2026 Draft pick (the No. 83 selection) because Gallen declined Arizona’s qualifying offer, but that may be worth it.
2. If unsuccessful, pivot to a mid-tier arm for depth
While perhaps not Plan A or Plan B this offseason, the addition of a free-agent starter such as Chris Bassitt, Justin Verlander or Lucas Giolito would still improve Baltimore’s rotation depth.
The Orioles have been linked to Verlander and Giolito, reportedly showing interest in both. Verlander is turning 43 later this month, but he still had a 3.85 ERA in 29 starts for the Giants last year. Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Giolito is coming off a solid season of his own, as he recorded a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts for the Red Sox.
There’s upside with any of the remaining starters in this tier. And it’ll be important for Baltimore to try to at least add one more quality option to the mix if it doesn’t end up with Gallen.
3. Worst-case scenario: Make a big swing at the Trade Deadline
This may not be what fans want to hear, but there’s a scenario in which the Orioles head into the season with what they already have. Nonetheless, Baltimore still has an improved team on paper, and it’s possible that getting better, healthier years from its returning pitchers will be enough to get the O’s back to the postseason.
But is this rotation strong enough to guide the Orioles on an October run? Perhaps not yet.
If Baltimore doesn’t add a starting pitcher between now and Opening Day on March 26, it will be much more important to take a big swing at the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline. Because even if everything goes to plan for the O’s and they’re contending later this summer, a marquee starter could be the piece to finally get this franchise over the hump.
