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(Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
So far this offseason, the Baltimore Orioles have been active in adding to their roster for the 2026 season. The biggest addition has been former New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso.
They also acquired outfielder Taylor Ward from the Los Angeles Angels for pitcher Grayson Rodriguez. As far as pitching goes, the Orioles have re-signed Zach Eflin and acquired Shane Baz from the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade. Ryan Helsely was also added to the bullpen.
Baltimore still needs a starting pitcher. They have been linked to Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez. Those are currently the top remaining free agent starting pitchers. There is another free agent pitcher who is an interesting one who remains unsigned. Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito is still a free agent. He was linked to the Orioles as a potential landing spot.
Baltimore Orioles Predicted to Sign Lucas Giolito in Free Agency
One intriguing free agent pitcher still on the market is Giolito. He had a big bounce-back 2025 season with the Red Sox. Giolito declined his player option and hit free agency. Whether that turns out to be a good move remains to be seen. However, his market should pick up with spring training a month away. Will Laws and Nick Selbe of Sports Illustrated predicted that Giolito would sign with the Orioles.
“If you need some convincing that the Angels have inherited the mantle of MLB’s most cursed franchise, consider Giolito’s last couple of years. After he was traded from the White Sox to the Halos at the 2023 trade deadline in an ill-conceived attempt at contention, he posted a 6.89 ERA in six starts for Los Angeles, was put on waivers and claimed by Cleveland, where he was even worse, then signed with the Red Sox in the offseason and had to undergo elbow surgery before he threw a pitch for them,” SI wrote.
When Giolito returned to the mound for Boston in 2025, he was better than they hoped he would be. In 26 starts, he went 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 145 innings pitched. He struck out 121 and had a 2.1 WAR. Those numbers were significantly better than in 2023 before his surgery.
“Fortunately, 2025 brought some respite in the form of 26 starts with a 3.41 ERA, albeit with a sharp downturn in strikeout rate. The end product is a mid-rotation arm with a heavy dose of risk attached,” wrote SI.
Lucas Giolito Would Be a Low-Risk, High-Reward Type of Signing
Sure, Giolito comes with some risks. All pitchers who have surgeries come with risks. He was shut down for Boston’s American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees with right elbow discomfort.
Baltimore needs another starter, and if they can’t land Valdez or Suarez in free agency, Giolito is not a bad fallback option. Sure, the Orioles could always add through a trade as they did with Baz, but Giolito, when healthy, would fit what Baltimore needs.
Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report predicted a two-year, $43 million contract in free agency for the 30-year-old Giolito. Given the Orioles’ willingness to spend this offseason, that seems like a deal they could do. The division is getting better, and Baltimore needs to as well.
Scott Roche Scott Roche covers college football, NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com and has three decades of sports writing, covering everything from college to professional sports. More about Scott Roche
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