The Baltimore Orioles know what they need, and so does the rest of the American League East.
After landing Pete Alonso, the Baltimore Orioles expected the market to open up. Instead, pitching prices have only climbed, making their search for a true frontline starter more complicated and more urgent by the day. With the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays looming in a division that punishes hesitation, Baltimore is running out of clean paths to the ace it has been chasing all winter.
Scarcity is the problem.
Dylan Cease coming off the board at a massive premium only hardened the market for top starters, and the remaining options all come with real tradeoffs. Framber Valdez offers durability and a track record, but also raises concerns in the clubhouse. His camp is expected to push for a long-term deal that would test Baltimore’s comfort level. Ranger Suarez brings consistency and postseason experience, yet he, too, is seeking years. Zac Gallen remains one of the most intriguing names available, though teams are weighing how much protection they want after an uneven 2025.
Michael King sits in a different category altogether.
His upside is real, but his injury history complicates the idea of handing him the responsibility of anchoring a rotation. Tatsuya Imai adds another layer of pressure. His electric stuff and posting timeline could force a decision sooner than the Orioles might prefer, especially with other contenders circling.
What makes this tougher is what’s happening below the top tier. Mid-rotation and depth starters are landing deals that once would have felt aggressive, shrinking the gap between paying for an ace and settling for innings. For a team that needs impact, not just coverage, that inflation removes the safety net.
The trade market hasn’t offered much relief.
Asking prices for controllable starters remain steep, and few clubs are eager to move pitching this early. For an Orioles front office that has worked carefully to protect its prospect depth, that leaves free agency as the most direct — and most expensive — option.
Baltimore doesn’t have to panic. The roster is good enough to compete, and patience has served the organization well. But in a division where the Yankees can pivot quickly and the Blue Jays have already spent aggressively, waiting too long carries its own risk.
Finding an ace was never going to be easy. In this market, and in this division, it’s becoming a high-stakes choice between cost, comfort and conviction.
