MLB insider shares exciting Orioles news amid starting pitching search

Matt Sullivan

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MLB insider shares exciting Orioles news amid starting pitching search image

The Baltimore Orioles have made a few big moves this offseason, with Shane Baz, Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward, and Ryan Helsley all joining the roster by way of free agency or a trade this offseason.

Those moves are great, but there's still a need to do more to improve this team for 2026. One of those positions of need is a starting pitcher.

According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today, rival executives around MLB believe that a big move is coming for the Orioles, and specifically, in the starting rotation.

Rival MLB execs believe Orioles will make big move for starting pitching

"Rival executives expect the Baltimore Orioles to be the next team to pluck a front-line starter from the free agent market now that the New York Mets are out of the mix after acquiring Freddy Peralta," Nightengale reports.

This is a significant report, as the Orioles are now seemingly the favorite to land a top starting pitcher this offseason.

While there are some intriguing trade options, like Tarik Skubal and MacKenzie Gore, the Orioles are more likely to explore the free-agent market.

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If they land a frontline starter in free agency, that would mean former Houston Astros lefty Framber Valdez or Arizona Diamondbacks righty Zac Gallen would be coming to Baltimore.

Of the two, Valdez makes the most sense. He'd be a better balance for the starting rotation and would give the Orioles another ace atop the rotation, whereas Gallen's iffy 2025 season won't inspire as much confidence.

This report from Nightengale is an exciting one, as the Orioles might be landing one of the top pitchers on the market this offseason, rounding out what has been an incredible offseason.

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Staff Writer