Orioles Still in the Market for Starting Pitching Help - Here Are Three Names to Watch
With spring training just around the corner, the Orioles' offseason work might not be done just yet. The lineup looks solid, the bullpen has pieces, but the rotation?
That’s still a spot that could use a little more firepower. And with the starting pitching market moving at a slower pace this winter, Baltimore still has a chance to make a significant addition.
Big names have started to come off the board - Kyle Tucker and Ranger Suárez among them - and Suárez landing with the division-rival Red Sox only raises the stakes. Boston shelled out five years and $130 million to bring him in, signaling that the market is heating up. If the Orioles want to keep pace - and maybe even set the tone - they’ll need to be ready to spend.
Let’s take a closer look at three starting pitchers who could be the missing piece for Baltimore’s rotation.
Framber Valdez: The Proven Workhorse with October Pedigree
If the Orioles are looking for a frontline starter who can go deep into games and handle the pressure of October, Framber Valdez checks every box. He’s arguably the top remaining arm on the market, and Baltimore has been linked to him throughout the offseason. With Suárez off the table, Valdez becomes the logical next target - and likely at a similar price tag.
A four-year deal in the neighborhood of $105 million could get it done, and for the Orioles, that’s an investment worth making. Valdez brings exactly what this rotation needs: durability and postseason experience.
He’s logged a full season’s workload in three of the last four years and made 16 playoff starts, including two in the World Series. He was a key part of the Astros’ 2022 championship run and has earned two All-Star nods along the way.
There’s also a connection here that can’t be overlooked. Orioles President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias was in Houston during Valdez’s development into a frontline starter. That familiarity could help Baltimore make a compelling pitch - both literally and figuratively - as they look to land a difference-maker.
Zac Gallen: The Younger, High-Upside Option
If Baltimore prefers a slightly younger option with long-term upside, Zac Gallen is a name to watch. Gallen was an All-Star in 2023 and has built a reputation as one of the more reliable right-handers in the game. He’s made at least 28 starts in each of the past four seasons and finished third in NL Cy Young voting in 2023 after going 17-9 with a 3.49 ERA.
Now, he’s coming off a bit of a down year - 13-15 with a 4.83 ERA - but that could actually work in the Orioles’ favor. His career ERA still sits at a solid 3.58, and a bounce-back season is well within reach. The tools are there, and so is the track record.
At 30 years old, Gallen is still in his prime, and a five-year, $125 million deal could be enough to bring him in. For a team like Baltimore that’s trying to build sustained success, Gallen offers both immediate impact and long-term value. He also logged six postseason starts during Arizona’s 2023 playoff run, so he’s no stranger to the big stage.
Brandon Woodruff: The High-Risk, High-Reward Veteran
If the Orioles want to take a more measured approach financially, Brandon Woodruff could be the play. He’s not going to command the same contract as Valdez or Gallen, but he brings legitimate upside if healthy - and that’s the key question.
Woodruff missed the entire 2024 season recovering from Tommy John surgery but returned last year to make 12 starts for the Brewers, posting a 3.20 ERA. When he’s right, he’s a top-tier pitcher.
He’s a two-time All-Star with playoff experience and owns a career 3.18 ERA in the postseason. That kind of production - especially in October - is hard to find at a discount.
Given his injury history, Woodruff would likely be open to a shorter deal, and something like a three-year, $60 million contract with a team option could be enough to get it done. That structure gives the Orioles some protection while still adding a veteran with a proven track record.
What’s Next for Baltimore?
The Orioles have already made some aggressive moves this offseason, but if they want to keep pace in an increasingly competitive AL East, they’ll need to keep pushing. With Suárez now in Boston, the pressure is on to respond - and respond with purpose.
Whether they go for the proven playoff arm in Valdez, the younger ace-in-waiting in Gallen, or the potential bargain in Woodruff, the message is clear: Baltimore has a golden opportunity to solidify its rotation. And with spring training on the horizon, the clock is ticking.