Orioles Predicted to Sign $75 Million All-Star Pitcher as Plan B After Missing Out on Framber Valdez

Baltimore looks to Zac Gallen as a potential rotation anchor after losing out on their top target Framber Valdez.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 3:47pm

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The Baltimore Orioles missed out on signing All-Star pitcher Framber Valdez, who instead joined the Detroit Tigers. However, the Orioles are now predicted to pivot and sign former Cy Young candidate Zac Gallen to a four-year, $75 million contract as a Plan B option to bolster their starting rotation.

Why it matters

The Orioles were considered the favorites to land Valdez, so his departure is a significant blow. Signing Gallen would give them a proven ace-caliber starter to anchor their rotation, though he comes with some question marks after a down 2026 season.

The details

Gallen, a 27-year-old right-hander, is projected to receive a four-year, $75 million contract from the Orioles. In 2024, he finished third in Cy Young voting after going 17-9 with a 3.47 ERA and 220 strikeouts. However, his numbers dipped in 2026 to a 13-15 record, 4.83 ERA, and 175 strikeouts over 192 innings. The Orioles are hoping Gallen can return to his All-Star form and provide stability at the top of their rotation.

  • The Orioles lost out on signing Framber Valdez, who joined the Detroit Tigers in free agency.
  • Zac Gallen is projected to sign a four-year, $75 million contract with the Orioles.

The players

Zac Gallen

A 27-year-old right-handed starting pitcher who is a former Cy Young candidate, having finished third in 2024 after going 17-9 with a 3.47 ERA and 220 strikeouts.

Framber Valdez

An All-Star left-handed pitcher who the Orioles were initially favored to sign, but instead joined the Detroit Tigers in free agency.

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What they’re saying

“The Baltimore Orioles felt like the prohibitive favorites to sign Valdez for a while, so this comes as a blow...Zac Gallen, however, is their best bet — and he's clearly within their reach.”

— Christopher Kline, FanSided Writer

What’s next

The Orioles will look to quickly finalize a contract with Zac Gallen before another team has the same idea and tries to sign him.

The takeaway

The Orioles' failure to land their top pitching target in Framber Valdez is a significant setback, but signing Zac Gallen to a four-year, $75 million deal could still give them a frontline starter to anchor their rotation and keep them in contention in the AL East.