This story was excerpted from Jake Rill’s Orioles Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Who’s next?
The Orioles have stayed busy so far this offseason -- most notably signing slugging first baseman Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million deal last week -- and they’re not done yet. Baltimore still has holes to fill, most noticeably in its starting rotation.
To recap, here are the notable moves made by the O’s so far:
Nov. 4: RHP Andrew Kittredge acquired in trade with Cubs
Nov. 6: OF Leody Taveras signed to one-year, $2 million deal
Nov. 19: OF Taylor Ward acquired in trade with Angels
Dec. 1: RHP Ryan Helsley signed to two-year, $28 million dealDec. 11: 1B Pete Alonso signed to five-year, $155 million deal
That’s a closer (Helsley), a setup reliever (Kittredge), a starting corner outfielder (Ward), a depth center fielder (Taveras) and a new star slugger to plug into the heart of the lineup and at first base (Alonso).
But again, no starting pitchers have been picked up yet. However, the Orioles are remaining active in both the free-agent and trade markets, attempting to find arms to upgrade the rotation.
Here’s a look at five starters who are either free agents or potential trade candidates who could be strong fits for Baltimore.
LHP Framber Valdez, free agent
2025 stats: 3.66 ERA and 187 strikeouts in 192 innings over 31 starts for Astros
Career stats: 3.36 ERA in 188 games (166 starts) over eight seasons (all with Houston)
A two-time All-Star and effective left-hander, Valdez is the top starter remaining on the free-agent market. The 32-year-old is likely to land a large contract, though his durability and consistency should make him well worth it.
MLB Network’s Jon Paul Morosi reported that the Orioles met with Valdez during the General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas in November.
LHP Ranger Suárez, free agent
2025 stats: 3.20 ERA and 151 strikeouts in 157 1/3 innings over 26 starts for Phillies
Career stats: 3.38 ERA in 187 games (119 starts) over eight seasons (all with Philadelphia)
Although Suárez has never thrown more than 157 1/3 innings in a season, his effectiveness in recent years makes him an interesting target. The 30-year-old southpaw was a first-time All-Star in 2024, and he has a 3.33 ERA in 53 starts over the past two seasons.
Most impressive is Suárez’s postseason resume, as he has a 1.48 ERA in 11 career playoff appearances (including eight starts) spanning 42 2/3 innings.
RHP Michael King, free agent
2025 stats: 3.44 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 73 1/3 innings over 15 starts for Padres
Career stats: 3.24 ERA in 161 games (64 starts) over seven seasons (five with Yankees, two with San Diego)
King is coming off a 2025 season in which he missed time due to multiple injuries -- right shoulder inflammation (May 22-Aug. 9) and left knee inflammation (Aug. 11-Sept. 9). But he had a solid two-year stint in San Diego when healthy, recording a 3.10 ERA over 46 games (45 starts).
The 30-year-old, who spent much of his time in New York pitching out of the bullpen, may not have reached his ceiling as a starter yet.
RHP Edward Cabrera, Marlins
2025 stats: 3.53 ERA and 150 strikeouts in 137 2/3 innings over 26 starts for Marlins
Career stats: 4.07 ERA in 89 games (87 starts) over five seasons (all with Miami)
Cabrera put it all together in 2025, having his best season as a big leaguer. But the Marlins have been potentially looking to move pitchers in order to fill some position-player holes.
Baltimore was linked to Miami in reports even before the signing of Alonso. Now, it could make a ton of sense, as the Marlins could fill a hole at first base by acquiring either Ryan Mountcastle or Coby Mayo, and parting with Cabrera to do so.
RHP Freddy Peralta, Brewers
2025 stats: 2.70 ERA and 204 strikeouts in 176 2/3 innings over 33 starts for Brewers
Career stats: 3.59 ERA in 211 games (162 starts) over eight seasons (all with Milwaukee)
It hasn’t been clear how seriously the Brewers are considering moving Peralta, a 29-year-old right-hander who is a two-time All-Star (2021 and 2025). If they’re open to dealing him, then he could be the best target for the Orioles, as long as the cost isn’t too high.
But Baltimore has prospect depth and big league talent to deal from, so it could work out a trade even for a pitcher the caliber of Peralta.