The Baltimore Orioles upgraded the offense by signing superstar first baseman Pete Alonso this offseason, but now it's time to strengthen the pitching staff. They ranked 26th in baseball with a 4.60 team ERA this past season, so there's room for improvement.

One of the best options on the free-agent market is southpaw Ranger Suarez. The 30-year-old went 12-8 with a 3.20 ERA over 26 starts for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2025 and sports a 3.38 ERA over 187 career appearances. 

The Athletic's Jim Bowden wrote on Wednesday that he "gets the impression" the Phillies won't bring Suarez back after re-signing slugger Kyle Schwarber to a five-year, $150 million deal.

“No team needs a starter more than the Orioles," he continued. "Suárez has low mileage on his arm in terms of career innings pitched, and his incredible off-speed offerings make him a solid fit with the O’s. The [Houston} Astros are trying to replace [Framber] Valdez in their rotation, and I think Suárez might be a good fit there, as well, since he’s likely to command a shorter commitment than Valdez, and Houston prefers shorter-term contracts for starters. A return to Philly would work if it has the dough to allocate to him."

Suarez has a market value of six years, $161.5 million ($26.9 million average annual salary), per Spotrac. Meanwhile, Valdez's market value is six years, $199.9 million ($33.3 million average annual salary), per Spotrac.

However, if Bowden's assesment is correct, Baltimore could secure Suarez on a shorter commitment. How will this situation play out?

Baltimore desperately needs pitching depth. The club traded right-hander Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels for outfielder Taylor Ward in November, while right-handers Zach Eflin and Tomoyuki Sugano are all free agents. Additionally, right-hander Charlie Morton retired.

Eflin, Sugano, and Morton combined for 61 starts in 2025, so the Orioles need more hurlers to replace their innings if they don't bring Eflin and/or Sugano back. While they do have southpaw Trevor Rogers (1.81 ERA over 18 starts in 2025) and right-hander Kyle Bradish (3.47 career ERA, but just 14 starts over the last two years), they must get more firepower.

Getting at least one of Valdez or Suarez will help remedy the situation, along with Rogers and Bradish having healthy seasons. Right-hander Tyler Wells falls in a similar category as the latter two players given that he has a 3.98 career ERA, but just seven starts over the last two seasons. 

Adding quality starting pitchers to a roster with offensive talents like Alonso, Ward, and shortstop Gunnar Henderson will show that Baltimore is serious about returning to the playoffs after missing out in 2025.