With pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in about a month, the Orioles’ roster could still use some help at starting pitching. Luckily for them, the market for starting pitchers moved slowly, and there are still several intriguing options that could take this team to the next level. Several big-name free agents signed this week, including outfielder Kyle Tucker and pitcher Ranger Suárez, so the domino effect should start among the rest of the remaining free agents. Suárez signed with the division rival Boston Red Sox, even more reason for the Orioles to make another move to improve their rotation. It took a five-year, $130 million contract for the Red Sox to sign Suárez, so the Orioles should be ready to spend a similar amount for a player of his caliber. Here is a look at three names that could fill that role for the Orioles. Framber ValdezValdez is the best remaining free agent pitcher, and the Orioles have been connected to him for most of the offseason. They were rumored to be interested in Suárez, and Valdez would cost the same, if not more, in annual value than the Red Sox spent. A four-year deal around $105 million should be enough to entice the 32-year-old pitcher to sign. He would be a good fit in Baltimore as he has two characteristics the Orioles would covet: durability and playoff experience. He has pitched a full season of games three out of the past four seasons and has 16 starts in the playoffs, including two World Series starts. He is a two-time All-Star and helped the Houston Astros win the 2022 World Series. Orioles President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias has a connection with Valdez from his time with the Astros that could play a factor in where he will sign. Now that Suárez has signed, Valdez will probably be next. The Orioles will have to continue the aggressive offseason they have had so far if they want a chance to sign Valdez.Zac GallenA younger option for the Orioles could be Zac Gallen from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Gallen was an All-Star in 2023 and, like Valdez, has been known for his durability over his career. He has started 28 games or more in the past four seasons and finished third in the National League Cy Young voting in 2023 after finishing 17-9 with a 3.49 earned run average. Gallen has some postseason experience, pitching six starts with the Diamondbacks during the 2023 playoffs. At 30 years old, signing him to a long-term deal would not be too hard to swallow. A five-year, $125 million deal could be enough to sign the best right-handed starter left in free agency. He’s coming off his worst season since becoming a full-time starter, going 13-15 with a 4.83 ERA, but could be due for a bounce-back year closer to his 3.58 career ERA.Brandon WoodruffIf the Orioles are looking for a cheaper option, they could try to sign an older pitcher to a short-term deal. Pitcher Brandon Woodruff will be 33 years old next season and is coming off a short season that saw him return from Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss the entire 2024 season. He flashed signs that he is back to form last season with a 3.20 ERA in 12 starts for the Milwaukee Brewers. Woodruff is a two-time All-Star and has eight games of playoff experience, and he has a 3.18 ERA in the postseason. He would also fit the Orioles’ plans financially, as it would not take a $100 million commitment to sign him. He would more likely take a shorter deal, especially since he hasn’t pitched a full season of games since 2022. The Orioles could probably sign him with a three-year $60 million deal with a team option to give them some security.
BALTIMORE —
With pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in about a month, the Orioles’ roster could still use some help at starting pitching. Luckily for them, the market for starting pitchers moved slowly, and there are still several intriguing options that could take this team to the next level.
Several big-name free agents signed this week, including outfielder Kyle Tucker and pitcher Ranger Suárez, so the domino effect should start among the rest of the remaining free agents. Suárez signed with the division rival Boston Red Sox, even more reason for the Orioles to make another move to improve their rotation.
It took a five-year, $130 million contract for the Red Sox to sign Suárez, so the Orioles should be ready to spend a similar amount for a player of his caliber. Here is a look at three names that could fill that role for the Orioles.
Framber Valdez
Getty ImagesDuane Burleson
Valdez is the best remaining free agent pitcher, and the Orioles have been connected to him for most of the offseason. They were rumored to be interested in Suárez, and Valdez would cost the same, if not more, in annual value than the Red Sox spent. A four-year deal around $105 million should be enough to entice the 32-year-old pitcher to sign.
He would be a good fit in Baltimore as he has two characteristics the Orioles would covet: durability and playoff experience. He has pitched a full season of games three out of the past four seasons and has 16 starts in the playoffs, including two World Series starts. He is a two-time All-Star and helped the Houston Astros win the 2022 World Series.
Orioles President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias has a connection with Valdez from his time with the Astros that could play a factor in where he will sign. Now that Suárez has signed, Valdez will probably be next. The Orioles will have to continue the aggressive offseason they have had so far if they want a chance to sign Valdez.
Zac Gallen
Getty ImagesSean M. Haffey
Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks
A younger option for the Orioles could be Zac Gallen from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Gallen was an All-Star in 2023 and, like Valdez, has been known for his durability over his career. He has started 28 games or more in the past four seasons and finished third in the National League Cy Young voting in 2023 after finishing 17-9 with a 3.49 earned run average.
Gallen has some postseason experience, pitching six starts with the Diamondbacks during the 2023 playoffs. At 30 years old, signing him to a long-term deal would not be too hard to swallow. A five-year, $125 million deal could be enough to sign the best right-handed starter left in free agency. He’s coming off his worst season since becoming a full-time starter, going 13-15 with a 4.83 ERA, but could be due for a bounce-back year closer to his 3.58 career ERA.
Brandon Woodruff
Getty ImagesJohn Fisher
Brandon Woodruff #53 of the Milwaukee Brewers
If the Orioles are looking for a cheaper option, they could try to sign an older pitcher to a short-term deal. Pitcher Brandon Woodruff will be 33 years old next season and is coming off a short season that saw him return from Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss the entire 2024 season. He flashed signs that he is back to form last season with a 3.20 ERA in 12 starts for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Woodruff is a two-time All-Star and has eight games of playoff experience, and he has a 3.18 ERA in the postseason. He would also fit the Orioles’ plans financially, as it would not take a $100 million commitment to sign him. He would more likely take a shorter deal, especially since he hasn’t pitched a full season of games since 2022. The Orioles could probably sign him with a three-year $60 million deal with a team option to give them some security.
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