Orioles Considering 9x All-Star Pitcher To Improve Starting Rotation Depth
The Baltimore Orioles are making decisive moves in the offseason market after a massively disappointing 2025 campaign. The five-year, $155 million deal for Pete Alonso is their headline signing of the winter, but they have added several to their pitching staff as well. Lack of depth in their starting rotation was arguably the biggest issue for the Orioles last season.
According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Baltimore Orioles are going to sign another starting pitcher before the offseason closes. He stated they are among a range of teams showing interest in veteran right-hander Justin Verlander. He feels Orioles’ president of baseball operations, Mike Elias, can play an integral part in securing the nine-time All-Star.
“Free-agent right-hander Justin Verlander is receiving interest from several clubs, according to people briefed on his market. One team, in particular, is intriguing: the Baltimore Orioles,” Rosenthal wrote on Friday.
“Verlander, who turns 43 next month, is from Virginia. He knows Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias from their time together with the Houston Astros in 2017 and ’18. And the Orioles are still trying to add another starting pitcher, preferably one at or near the top of the rotation, in free agency or trade.”
Orioles Among Teams With Interest In Justin Verlander https://t.co/7mBVaW3nih pic.twitter.com/Kuj2DOxvB3
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) January 17, 2026
Verlander is a free agent after a solid solo campaign with the San Francisco Giants last year in spite of making a slow start. The 42-year-old posted 1.2 bWAR even though he finished on a 4-11 record. He pitched 152.0 innings over 29 starts with a 3.85 ERA and 137 strikeouts.
Framber Valdez Remains Top Target for Orioles Despite Justin Verlander Interest
Despite showing interest in Justin Verlander, the three-time Cy Young winner is not the foremost target for the Baltimore Orioles at this stage. His old Houston Astros teammate Framber Valdez is their top choice, as per MLB insider Ken Rosenthal. The Orioles’ gamble to bring in 41-year-old Charlie Morton for one final MLB season backfired heavily in the previous season.
“A deal between Verlander and the Orioles is not close. For now, the Orioles almost certainly are aiming higher. Their signing last offseason of another 40-something former Astro, Charlie Morton, did not turn out well. Yet another former Astro, left-hander Framber Valdez, 32, is the best remaining free-agent starter and perhaps the best fit for Baltimore,” Rosenthal wrote.
Which team needs Framber Valdez the most: Giants, Orioles or Mets?#MLBTonight | @Anthony_Recker | @RoFlo pic.twitter.com/Exed5xgmOg
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 17, 2026
Valdez is still available even though he is arguably the best starting pitcher to join the free agent market at the start of the offseason. The 32-year-old southpaw recorded 17.3 bWAR over the past five seasons with a 68-41 record in 143 starts. He pitched 902.1 innings during this time with a 3.20 ERA and 1.173 WHIP.
Orioles Considering 9x All-Star Pitcher To Improve Starting Rotation Depth
News Daily Reports
No comments: