Baltimore Orioles Linked to Multiple All-Star Starting Pitchers

The Baltimore Orioles are in the market for starting pitching, and two veteran arms have emerged as early targets. Jon Heyman reported during a Bleacher Report appearance that Baltimore has shown interest in right-hander Nick Martinez and left-hander Matthew Boyd.

The Orioles need the help. Baltimore finished 79-82 in 2026, fourth in the AL East, 18.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees and Red Sox both also finished ahead of them.

The Orioles missed the postseason for the second straight year, and starting pitching was a big reason why. Trevor Rogers and Chris Bassitt could both depart in free agency. Kyle Bradish and Shane Baz are the rotation's core pieces of the future, but adding proven starters around them is the priority this winter.

Martinez fits what Baltimore is looking for. The 36-year-old is one of the best free agent starters available after putting together the finest season of his career with Tampa Bay. He went 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP and 109 strikeouts across 180 innings. He posted the best walks-per-nine rate in baseball at 1.3, walking just 26 batters all year. 

Martinez and Tampa Bay declined their $20 million mutual option, with Martinez taking a $4 million buyout to hit free agency. He is not expected to land a long-term deal given his age and declining strikeout numbers, but a two-year deal in the $35-40 million range is realistic. 

Boyd offers a different profile. The 35-year-old left-hander went 10-5 with a 3.91 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 126 2/3 innings across 22 starts for the Cubs. He did suffer a partial meniscus tear that required surgery.

The injury limited his availability, and his strikeout rate dropped after he returned. Boyd was an All-Star in 2025 and brings postseason experience, but any team pursuing him will need to make sure he is at full strength and he can put full pressure on his left knee. He and Chicago declined their mutual $15 million option, and he is now a free agent.

The Orioles are not expected to land both. Martinez is likely to draw a ton of interest from contenders, and Boyd's knee makes him a riskier commitment.

But Baltimore needs multiple rotation additions this winter, and both names make sense given the need for experienced innings. The Orioles have the payroll flexibility to be aggressive. Whether they convert interest into signings will go a long way toward determining whether they can climb back into contention in the AL East in 2027.