Justin Verlander may be 43, but don’t let the age fool you-he’s still one of the most compelling names on the free agent market. And according to reports, the Baltimore Orioles are emerging as a particularly intriguing landing spot for the three-time Cy Young Award winner.
There’s history here. Verlander and Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias go back to their days with the Houston Astros in 2017 and 2018, when Elias was part of the front office that helped build a powerhouse and Verlander was a key piece on the mound. That familiarity could matter, especially as Baltimore looks to bolster its rotation with a veteran presence capable of anchoring a playoff-caliber staff.
The Orioles are in a window. They’ve got young talent, a competitive roster, and postseason aspirations. What they need now is stability and leadership at the top of the rotation-something Verlander, even at this stage of his career, might still be able to offer.
Let’s be clear: Verlander isn’t the dominant force he once was, but he’s far from washed. After a neck injury shortened his 2024 season with the Astros-where he went 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in just 17 starts-he signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the San Francisco Giants.
And while the win-loss record (4-11) didn’t sparkle, the underlying numbers told a more complete story: a 3.85 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 152 innings. That’s not just serviceable-that’s reliable, especially in today’s pitching landscape.
In a league where innings eaters are increasingly rare, Verlander still gives you length and competitiveness every fifth day. He may not be lighting up the radar gun like he did in his prime, but he’s adapted-leaning on experience, pitch sequencing, and guile to get hitters out. That’s what future Hall of Famers do.
And make no mistake, Verlander’s résumé is Cooperstown-bound. We’re talking about a career that includes three Cy Young Awards (2011, 2019, 2022), an AL MVP (2011), AL Rookie of the Year honors (2006), nine All-Star selections, and two World Series rings. He’s done it all-often on the biggest stages-and he’s done it for nearly two decades.
Now, the idea of Verlander returning to the East Coast, closer to his Virginia roots, adds another layer of intrigue. But for the Orioles, this isn’t just about sentiment.
It’s about whether Verlander can still help a young, ascending team take the next step. Baltimore has its eye on long-term rotation pieces, but a short-term addition like Verlander could provide the bridge-and the mentorship-needed to get there.
He’s not the ace he once was. But in the right role, on the right team, Verlander can still be a difference-maker. And if the Orioles are serious about contending deep into October, adding a battle-tested veteran with his pedigree might be exactly what they need.