Free-agent starting pitching options for Orioles

The Orioles began selling Pete Alonso jerseys on Monday for fans eager to wear No. 25. The signing of the 31-year-old first baseman was an important one because it showed that the team would spend real money — five years, $155 million — on a free agent who fills the need for a right-handed hitting power bat — 264 home runs since 2019.

It’s expected that president of baseball operations Mike Elias will follow up the Alonso signing by filling another need — a frontline starting pitcher. For the moment, the market for starting pitchers seems frozen after the top-ranked free-agent starter, Dylan Cease, signed with the Toronto Blue Jays for seven years and $210 million.

Eventually, that market will thaw. Here’s a look at some top starters, and what it would take for the Orioles to sign them:

Framber Valdez

The 32-year-old left-hander was 81-52 with a 3.39 ERA in eight seasons with the Houston Astros. A two-time All-Star, Valdez threw 192 innings last season.

Nineteen of his 31 starts were quality starts (three or fewer earned runs in six or more innings), and he threw two complete games.

According to BaseballReference.com’s similarity scale, the pitcher he’s most like is Max Fried, the Yankees’ left-hander. Corbin Burnes, who was with the Orioles in 2024, is third on the list.

MLBTradeRumors.com foresees Valdez’s contract as five years, $150 million.

Tatsuya Imai

Unlike the other top free-agent starters, Imai has a deadline. He must sign with a major league club by January 2^nd or else he’ll have to return to Japan.

The 27-year-old right-hander was 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA in 24 games for the Seibu Lions last year. He threw five complete games and three shutouts, allowing only 5.6 hits per nine innings and just six home runs in 163 2/3 innings.

Because he’s coming from Japan, the team that signs him doesn’t need to surrender a draft choice as compensation.

MLBTradeRumors calculates a six-year, $150 million contract for him.

Ranger Suárez

The 30-year-old left-hander is 53-37 with a 3.38 ERA in eight seasons with Philadelphia. He’s got excellent control, and last season walked just over two batters per nine innings. Suárez also averages fewer than a home run per nine.

He’s most similar to the Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.

MLBTR predicts a five-year, $115 million contract.

Michael King

King’s been a hot name recently with some chatter indicating he was nearing a decision.

The 30-year-old right-hander was mostly a reliever in five seasons with the New York Yankees but started the last two years for San Diego.

Despite missing three months with a pinched nerve in his shoulder, King was 5-3 with a 3.44 ERA in 15 starts.

There aren’t any comps with current pitchers, and he could get four years and $80 million.

Zac Gallen

The Orioles haven’t been linked with Zac Gallen, who, like Suárez and Imai, is a client of Scott Boras. Alonso, Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg are also Boras clients.

“For Zac, it’s high quality, never crude, always refined. When you pull up to the pitching pump, a Gallen is always premium,” Boras said at last week’s Winter Meetings.

Gallen, who went 65-49 with a 3.61 ERA in seven seasons with Arizona, slumped to 13-15 with a 4.83 ERA in 33 starts in 2025.

He could still fetch four years at $80 million.

Valdez, Suárez, King and Gallen all turned down qualifying offers from their 2025 teams, so if the Orioles sign any of them, they’ll have to surrender a draft choice.

Gallen’s closest comp is Mike Clevinger, who was 0-2 with a 7.94 ERA in eight games for the Chicago White Sox this past season.

Chris Bassitt

Bassitt seems like a good fit for the Orioles, but he hasn’t gotten many mentions this offseason.

With Cease and Cody Ponce signing with Toronto, Bassitt and Max Scherzer are looking for new baseball homes for 2026.

Bassitt will be 37 before next season, and was 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA in 32 games for the Blue Jays. Even at 36, he threw 170 1/3 innings, and seems like a good risk.

His second-closest comp is Jameson Taillon of the Cubs.

Bassitt could get two years, $38 million.

Lucas Giolito

Giolito rebounded from right elbow surgery with a 10-4 record and 3.41 ERA in 26 starts with the Red Sox.

He could be a secondary option for the Orioles if they’re looking to sign two starters.

His closest comp is former Orioles prospect Zach Davies, and he’s forecast to draw a two-year, $16 million contract.

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