With spring training fast approaching, Justin Verlander remains one of the most intriguing names still on the free agent board. The veteran right-hander is coming off a 2025 season with the San Francisco Giants that reminded everyone why he’s still a force in the league-even at 42. His ability to stay on the mound, logging 29 starts with a 3.85 ERA, has kept interest high among teams looking to shore up their rotations without committing to a long-term rebuild.
Two clubs that continue to surface in the Verlander conversation are the San Diego Padres and the Baltimore Orioles. Both have clear needs on the pitching side and find themselves in win-now windows where a veteran presence could make all the difference.
Let’s start with San Diego. The Padres have had a relatively quiet offseason, especially compared to recent years when they were among the most aggressive teams in the league.
But with that muted activity comes a spotlight on their starting rotation-a group that could benefit from a stabilizing, experienced arm like Verlander’s. While San Diego’s front office hasn’t tipped its hand, the fit makes sense.
Justin Verlander made 29 starts last year, pitching to a 3.85 ERA 👏@JesseRogersESPN thinks the future Hall of Famer will make an impact again in 2026. pic.twitter.com/h7fo10EbN0
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 7, 2026
Verlander brings postseason pedigree, durability, and the kind of competitive edge that can lift a clubhouse.
Baltimore, meanwhile, is a team on the rise, even if the 2025 standings didn’t reflect it. Despite finishing at the bottom of the AL East, the Orioles have been active in retooling their roster, and adding a three-time Cy Young winner to the mix could be the next step in their evolution. For a young rotation, Verlander’s presence would be more than just innings-it would be mentorship, leadership, and a blueprint for how to navigate the grind of a full season and the pressure of October.
Of course, there’s the age factor. Verlander will be 43 during the 2026 season, and while he’s shown he can still handle a starter’s workload, teams will have to weigh how much they want to push that.
Interestingly, workload management could be a key factor in where he lands. In 2025, Verlander wasn’t eager to have his innings scaled back, but as he enters another season, some compromise might be necessary.
The right balance-between letting him compete and keeping him fresh-could be the difference between a good signing and a great one.
Both the Padres and Orioles have reasons to be interested. For San Diego, it’s about reinforcing a rotation that needs depth and experience.
For Baltimore, it’s about accelerating a return to contention with a proven winner anchoring the staff. And for Verlander, it’s about finding the right situation-one where he can still be himself on the mound, contribute meaningfully, and chase one more shot at postseason glory.
As the final days of the offseason tick down, the question isn’t whether Verlander can still pitch-it’s where he’ll do it, and how much of an impact he’ll make when he gets there.