Why the Baltimore Orioles Could Pivot and Land a Former All-Star

We are less than 50 days away from Opening Day of the 2026 MLB season, meaning that most teams have a solid understanding of what their 40-man roster will look like come late March.

However, there are still multiple teams that are still trying to improve their rosters by adding a free agent or two.

For the Baltimore Orioles, they have been in the mix for a top of the rotation starting pitcher for what feels like a majority of the offseason. Unfortunately for Baltimore, they’ve struck out on almost every big name free agent: Dylan cease (Toronto Blue Jays), Ranger Suarez (Boston Red Sox), Michael King (San Diego Padres).

Luckily for Baltimore, there is still one proven top of the rotation arm that has yet to find a new home. That player is none other than Framber Valdez.

Valdez was widely considered as the best free agent starting pitcher of this offseason, but has failed to ink a new contract with a team.

Many assume Valdez hasn’t signed yet because he wants a long-term deal, but teams seem reluctant to give the southpaw what he wants as he’s had some issues with teammates in late 2025.

Although Valdez would be a top-notch signing for Baltimore, his contract demands and personality don’t seem like a fit for a majority of contending ball clubs.

However, there happens to be a former all-star sitting on the open market that Baltimore could sign for cheap.

Zac Gallen (30) was at one point considered an elite starting pitcher, as he finished third in National League Cy Young voting in 2023 after posting a 3.47 ERA in 210 innings.

Gallen would have another strong campaign in 2024, posting a 3.65 ERA in 148 innings, but his baseball fans got a first taste of his dwindling regression.

Unfortunately for Gallen, his advanced metrics indicated that a steep regression was on the horizon for 2025, and that’s exactly what happened.

Gallen posted a 4.83 ERA in 192 innings last season, but struggled to be in the 50th percentile plus in every advanced metric besides chase rate (51st percentile), ground ball rate (61st percentile) and extension (61st percentile).

Gallen showed the world that he no longer has his electric stuff of old to be an ace, however, his 86th percentile off speed run value indicates that Gallen still has a little bit left in the tank.

Gallen led the National League with 33 starts, displaying that he can eat innings for contending teams.

Although Gallen struggled to keep the ball inside the park, his 43.1% whiff rate on his knuckle-curve still proves to be an elite secondary pitch.

I believe that Gallen would be a cheaper, experienced arm for Baltimore, as he would significantly elevate the floor of this rotation. Gallen would no longer have the pressure of performing as an ace, and could come to Baltimore on a short term, high annual value contract.

Signing Gallen would mean that Baltimore would have to part ways with their third-round draft pick for 2026, as Gallen was given the qualifying offer by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

If Baltimore were to land Gallen, it would firmly take them out of the Framber Valdez sweepstakes.

Baltimore isn’t the only team who is in on Valdez, as the Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates have all been reported to be expressing interest in the southpaw.

I believe that other teams zoning in on Valdez could leave the door open for Baltimore to swoop in and sign Gallen.

If Baltimore were to land the former all-star, their rotation of Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz, Zach Eflin, Dean Kremer and Gallen would be one of the better units in the American League.

Gallen is by no means a flashy signing, but his experience and ability to eat innings could prove to be valuable to Baltimore’s rotation.

Gallen is projected to net a three-year, $63 million dollar contract according to Fangraphs.

If Baltimore wants to sign another arm for their rotation, I’d imagine they’d do so before Spring Training starts in 16 days.

Why the Baltimore Orioles Could Pivot and Land a Former All-Star

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