The Baltimore Orioles could make another big addition to the pitching staff.
The Baltimore Orioles are approaching spring training with clear goals for their pitching staff. After a disappointing 2025 season that saw them miss the playoffs entirely, the organization is focused on a quick bounce back this year.
While the lineup remains one of the most talented in the American League, especially with the additions of outfielder Taylor Ward and first baseman Pete Alonso, the rotation struggled with inconsistency last season and could benefit from experienced reinforcements.
With February approaching, the Orioles are evaluating ways to strengthen their pitching depth, maintain flexibility on the 40-man roster and give their young starters guidance from proven veterans.
“There are teams definitely talking hot and heavy with Gallen at this point, so I wouldn't be shocked if it didn't take too long. As I mentioned, the Orioles are in on Gallen,” Jon Heyman of MLB Network said this week, linking Baltimore to right-handed starter Zac Gallen in free agency.
Gallen was an All-Star in 2023 and has been regarded as one of the more reliable arms in recent seasons. Last year, the 30-year-old made 33 starts and pitched 192 innings while recording a 13–15 record with a 4.83 ERA and 175 strikeouts.
He posted a 1.26 WHIP, showing some regression compared to prior seasons, but remains a pitcher with the experience to stabilize a major league rotation.
In 2023, he delivered a standout season with a 17–9 record, 3.47 ERA, 220 strikeouts and 210 innings pitched. That performance helped establish him as a frontline starter and earned him his All-Star selection.
Teams across the league are monitoring Gallen’s free agent market. For Baltimore, a pitcher of his caliber represents an opportunity to strengthen a rotation that had stretches of inconsistency last year.
Adding Gallen could also help protect younger starters while allowing the Orioles to manage workloads more effectively over a long season.
Other clubs have shown interest in Gallen, according to Heyman, including the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks, which could create a competitive market for his services.
For the Orioles, the pursuit of Gallen signals a commitment to building on past success and maintaining a rotation capable of competing at the highest level. Even one impactful addition could make a noticeable difference in keeping Baltimore among the league’s elite contenders.
Securing a veteran like Gallen would also provide mentorship for emerging pitchers and reinforce the front office’s strategy of pairing youthful talent with experienced arms to remain competitive in the American League.