Orioles will hunt for starting pitching as free agency begins

Now that the World Series is over, free agency is about to start, and the Orioles should be major players.

According to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, a former major league general manager, the Orioles are considered good fits for several top-tier starters and some relievers, too.

Interestingly, Bowden doesn’t believe the Orioles are logical landing places for top outfielders despite the team’s glaring need for them, particularly right-handed hitters.

Bowden ranked his top 50 free agents this week. Shortly, MLBTradeRumors.com will reveal its top 50.

During much of Mike Elias’ reign as head of Orioles baseball operations, the team shunned big-name free agents.

Within the last year, the Orioles handed out their first multi-year contract under Elias—Tyler O’Neill’s three-year, $49.5 million deal. That included an opt-out, which O’Neill will undoubtedly decline in the next weeks.

They also extended catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo, who signed an eight-year, $67 million deal that includes an option for 2034.

Despite those moves, there is skepticism in the fan base that the team will be aggressive in the free-agent market.

Bowden’s top-rated free-agent starter is Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez. He thinks that besides the Orioles, the Astros, Braves, Mets, Cubs and Padres are the best fits. Bowden’s prediction is that Valdez will sign for six years and $190 million.

Valdez will be 32 later this month, and like many of you, I’m skeptical that the Orioles would pay that much for a pitcher who’ll be nearly 38 when the contract ends.

Some other top free-agent starters he thinks could interest the Orioles are Philadelphia left-hander Ranger Suárez, San Diego right-hander Dylan Cease, Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai, and Arizona right-hander Zac Gallen.

Bowden estimates that these starters could get contracts between five and seven years for between $135 million (Gallen) and $187 million (Cease).

Some of his more reasonable Oriole fits are Padres right-hander Michael King, and Toronto right-hander Shane Bieber (three years, $75 million). He thinks Bieber will get an opt-out after each season.

Another candidate is 37-year-old Texas right-hander Merrill Kelly, who could get two years, $30 million.

Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt is another possibility. At 36, he could command two years at $45 million.

Rangers right-hander Tyler Mahle missed much of the 2025 season with shoulder fatigue, but he could get a one-year, $17 million deal.

Bullpen help is also a need and right-hander Raisel Iglesias could work, Bowden thinks, at two years, $24 million. Another option is New York Yankees right-hander Luke Weaver at two years and $20 million.

Despite the Orioles’ need for outfielders, Bowden doesn’t see the team bidding for big names. Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger are high on his list, but both hit left-handed.

Bowden also doesn’t see Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette coming to Baltimore. He sees Bichette agreeing to a seven-year, $189 million contract.

The Orioles have Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Tyler Wells, Dean Kremer, and if he’s healthy, Grayson Rodriguez as starters for 2026.

Since Rodriguez didn’t pitch at all while Bradish and Wells combined to start 10 times, Elias will stock up on starters.

Last offseason, he signed 41-year-old Charlie Morton and 35-year-old Tomoyuki Sugano as free agents for a combined $28 million.

Late in spring training when it was apparent the team needed additional starters, Elias signed Kyle Gibson, the Orioles’ most durable starter in 2023.

Gibson had a 16.73 ERA in four starts and was quickly released. After an unsuccessful stint in Tampa Bay’s organization, he retired.

This year, Elias will try to make sure the Orioles don’t fall short again, and the guess here is that he’ll sign at least one and perhaps two. It will be fascinating to watch if Elias will do what he’s never done—spend big bucks on a free-agent starter.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.