Despite being considered the favorites to sign free agent pitcher Framber Valdez, the Orioles failed to sign him, and he joined the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday.Valdez reportedly signed a three-year, $115 million deal on Wednesday as the top starting pitcher finally signed, months after the start of free agency. The O’s missed out on the 32-year-old lefty and may not have been willing to reach the $38 million average annual salary that it took to land Valdez.They have missed out on signing the top pitcher on the market two years in a row after failing to re-sign Corbin Burnes after trading for him before the 2024 season. There are a few options left in free agency, but none are as attractive an option as Valdez.Best available: Zac GallenOne of the more surprising names left in free agency is former Arizona Diamondback Zac Gallen. He is coming off the worst season of his career, and that could be the reason the 30-year-old remains unsigned. He went 13-18 with a 4.83 earned run average in 33 starts last season but has a 3.58 career ERA and was one of the best pitchers in the majors a couple of years ago.In 2023, he was a dominant pitcher who was named an All-Star and finished third in Cy Young Award voting. He is two years younger than Valdez and should not cost nearly as much. He is now the top name on the market, so any other teams looking for starting pitching could outbid the Orioles.Gallen is the last option for a true top-of-the-rotation arm that the Orioles were interested in. The question is, can he bounce back from a disappointing season and return to being the dominant pitcher he was from 2020 to 2024?Solid option: Lucas GiolitoAnother option for the Orioles is 32-year-old Lucas Giolito. The nine-year veteran was a former All-Star in 2019 with the Chicago White Sox and spent last season with the Boston Red Sox. He went 10-4 with a 3.60 ERA in 26 starts with the Sox, including two against the Orioles, during which he did not give up a run.Giolito is not the flashy name that Orioles fans may have wanted, but he was really good against the AL East last season, going 3-1 in eight starts with a 1.47 ERA. He is two years removed from a UCL injury that required surgery and cost him the entire 2024 season. His comeback with Boston was delayed by a hamstring injury in spring training and he missed the playoffs with a flexor strain in his elbow.If he is healthy, Giolito could add a middle-of-the-rotation arm that could help give them sufficient depth in the rotation, which had only one pitcher who started at least 30 games last season. He could also be a short-term deal for the club, something it could be interested in.Wild card: Justin VerlanderJustin Verlander, a future Hall of Famer, has not called it quits and is still a free agent despite turning 43 before the season starts. Verlander could be an option for the Orioles and is coming off a solid season with the San Francisco Giants, with a 3.85 ERA in 29 starts. He is one of the most accomplished pitchers in MLB history as a two-time World Series winner and a three-time Cy Young Award winner, and he was even named the MVP in 2011.He would add a much-needed veteran presence to the clubhouse and could help the Orioles’ younger pitchers develop. It could be a good match, but Verlander would probably be this team’s fourth or fifth starter, far from the top-of-the-rotation arm it is seeking. He would probably be a better option as an injury replacement if the Orioles lose a current starter.
BALTIMORE —
Despite being considered the favorites to sign free agent pitcher Framber Valdez, the Orioles failed to sign him, and he joined the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday.
Valdez reportedly signed a three-year, $115 million deal on Wednesday as the top starting pitcher finally signed, months after the start of free agency. The O’s missed out on the 32-year-old lefty and may not have been willing to reach the $38 million average annual salary that it took to land Valdez.
They have missed out on signing the top pitcher on the market two years in a row after failing to re-sign Corbin Burnes after trading for him before the 2024 season. There are a few options left in free agency, but none are as attractive an option as Valdez.
Best available: Zac Gallen
Getty ImagesSean M. Haffey
One of the more surprising names left in free agency is former Arizona Diamondback Zac Gallen. He is coming off the worst season of his career, and that could be the reason the 30-year-old remains unsigned. He went 13-18 with a 4.83 earned run average in 33 starts last season but has a 3.58 career ERA and was one of the best pitchers in the majors a couple of years ago.
In 2023, he was a dominant pitcher who was named an All-Star and finished third in Cy Young Award voting. He is two years younger than Valdez and should not cost nearly as much. He is now the top name on the market, so any other teams looking for starting pitching could outbid the Orioles.
Gallen is the last option for a true top-of-the-rotation arm that the Orioles were interested in. The question is, can he bounce back from a disappointing season and return to being the dominant pitcher he was from 2020 to 2024?
Solid option: Lucas Giolito
Getty ImagesJaiden Tripi
Starting pitcher Lucas Giolito of the Boston Red Sox
Another option for the Orioles is 32-year-old Lucas Giolito. The nine-year veteran was a former All-Star in 2019 with the Chicago White Sox and spent last season with the Boston Red Sox. He went 10-4 with a 3.60 ERA in 26 starts with the Sox, including two against the Orioles, during which he did not give up a run.
Giolito is not the flashy name that Orioles fans may have wanted, but he was really good against the AL East last season, going 3-1 in eight starts with a 1.47 ERA. He is two years removed from a UCL injury that required surgery and cost him the entire 2024 season. His comeback with Boston was delayed by a hamstring injury in spring training and he missed the playoffs with a flexor strain in his elbow.
If he is healthy, Giolito could add a middle-of-the-rotation arm that could help give them sufficient depth in the rotation, which had only one pitcher who started at least 30 games last season. He could also be a short-term deal for the club, something it could be interested in.
Wild card: Justin Verlander
Getty ImagesKavin Mistry
Justin Verlander of the San Francisco Giants
Justin Verlander, a future Hall of Famer, has not called it quits and is still a free agent despite turning 43 before the season starts. Verlander could be an option for the Orioles and is coming off a solid season with the San Francisco Giants, with a 3.85 ERA in 29 starts. He is one of the most accomplished pitchers in MLB history as a two-time World Series winner and a three-time Cy Young Award winner, and he was even named the MVP in 2011.
He would add a much-needed veteran presence to the clubhouse and could help the Orioles’ younger pitchers develop. It could be a good match, but Verlander would probably be this team’s fourth or fifth starter, far from the top-of-the-rotation arm it is seeking. He would probably be a better option as an injury replacement if the Orioles lose a current starter.
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