This offseason has been an aggressive one for the Baltimore Orioles and President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias. The biggest splash he made was at the Winter Meetings when he beat out the Boston Red Sox for New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso.
That was a move that signaled the Orioles are attempting to load up to compete in the deep American League East. Some around MLB think Baltimore is done adding for 2026. However, that might not be the case.
Despite having their starting rotation appear to be set for spring training, they continue to be linked to some free agent pitchers. The biggest name remaining is Framber Valdez, and there is reportedly interest between the player and club. If the Orioles can’t secure the left-hander, they could pivot in another direction.
Baltimore Orioles Linked to Free Agent Pitcher Lucas Giolito
Like a lot of other teams around the league, Baltimore would jump at the chance to add Valdez. If they can’t, then they are reportedly open to other options, and one of those options is a former division rival’s right-hander.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Orioles are looking to kick the tires on Lucas Giolito of Boston if Valdez does not sign in Baltimore.
“Valdez has been in talks with the Orioles for months, but they’re also seriously considering Zac Gallen, Lucas Giolito and others,” wrote Heyman.
Now, it should be pointed out that some players are in no rush to make their free agent decision. Valdez appears to be in that category. Last year, Alex Bregman didn’t sign a contract until spring training began with the Red Sox. There are a number of reasons why Valdez still hasn’t signed with anyone.
Is it because of his cross-up with former teammate César Salazar? Could it be teams not wanting to commit long-term to a 32-year-old? Whatever it may be, it would be surprising if Valdez isn’t in a camp by the middle of February.
Baltimore Orioles Reportedly Looking at All Options
Teams are staying patient, as is Valdez. You get the feeling that once he signs, the rest of the starting free agent pitchers will follow. It’s just a matter of where everyone ends up. As far as Baltimore goes, Giolito would be a solid fallback option.
After missing the 2024 season, Giolito had a big bounce-back 2025 year in Boston. In 26 starts, he went 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 145 innings with 121 strikeouts. He had a 2.1 WAR, but was a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter for manager Alex Cora.
As far as a fit with Baltimore, Giolito, an American League All-Star with the Chicago White Sox in 2019, would slot in nicely to their current rotation. Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz, Zach Eflin, and Dean Kremer is the current projected rotation. Giolito would be a perfect No. 3 right in the middle.
Right before Boston’s AL wild-card series against the New York Yankees last fall, it was announced that Giolito was going to miss the series and the postseason with an elbow injury. He was not given a qualifying offer after declining his player option, thus making him a free agent.
Elias would love to land Valdez. But Giolito is a fallback option that makes sense in a low-risk, high-reward move should they go that route.
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