The Baltimore Orioles have been one of the more active teams this offseason, and while they haven’t crossed off every item on their to-do list just yet, they’ve made some serious noise. The addition of Taylor Ward brought a power bat to the outfield, and Ryan Helsley gives their bullpen a late-inning weapon with closing experience. But the real head-turner came at the Winter Meetings, when they landed slugger Pete Alonso-an aggressive move that signaled Baltimore isn’t just aiming to compete, but to contend.
Still, there’s one glaring need that remains: starting pitching. The Orioles have a solid one-two punch at the top of their rotation in Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish, but if they want to make a deep run in October, they’ll need another reliable arm to round out the staff. That’s where the current free-agent market comes into play.
According to recent reports, the Orioles have been linked to several available starters, and the names being floated make a lot of sense. Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez, and Michael King have all been mentioned as fits, with Suárez standing out as a particularly strong match.
Let’s break that down.
Suárez isn’t the flashiest name on the board, but he’s been quietly dependable for the Phillies. Last season, he posted a 3.20 ERA over 26 starts and kept the ball on the ground at a healthy 46.8% rate.
That kind of consistency, especially from a left-hander, could be exactly what the Orioles need to stabilize the middle of their rotation. The one knock on Suárez is that he’s not a big strikeout guy, which might explain why King’s market has been more active early on.
But for Baltimore, that might not be a dealbreaker.
With Rogers and Bradish already in place, the Orioles don’t necessarily need a frontline ace-they need someone who can take the ball every fifth day and give them a chance to win. Suárez checks that box. He’s not going to command the kind of deal that top-tier starters get, especially with some lingering concerns about a recurring back injury, but he’s proven he can handle a full season when healthy.
Michael King is another intriguing option. He’s been connected to the Orioles recently, though there’s buzz that he could be eyeing a return to the Boston area.
King offers more upside in terms of swing-and-miss stuff and could eventually grow into a top-of-the-rotation role. But that also means he may come with a higher price tag-and more competition.
Then there’s Framber Valdez, who has a clear connection to Orioles GM Mike Elias from their days in Houston. That link alone will keep Valdez in the rumor mill until he signs somewhere. He brings postseason experience and a heavy sinker that fits well in Camden Yards, but he’s also likely to be one of the more expensive arms on the market.
What makes Suárez particularly appealing is how well he fits into what the Orioles already have. They don’t need a headline-grabbing ace; they need a dependable No. 3 who can eat innings, keep the ball in the park, and let their offense do the heavy lifting. Suárez has done that in a tough NL East, and if he’s healthy, there’s no reason to think he couldn’t do the same in Baltimore.
So while the Orioles may not be done yet, they’ve already made some bold moves-and if they can land a steady starter like Suárez to round out the rotation, they’ll be in a strong position heading into 2026. The bats are there.
The bullpen has reinforcements. Now it’s just about finishing the puzzle.