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MLB Free Agent Pitching Market: A Deep Dive into Remaining Options
As Suárez finalizes his five-year,$130 million deal,the free-agent market for starting pitchers continues to shift,leaving several notable arms still seeking new homes. Suárez becomes the fourth free-agent starter this offseason to secure a contract exceeding $50 million in guaranteed money, joining Dylan Cease with the Blue Jays (seven years, $210 million), Michael King with the Padres (three years, $75 million), and Tatsuya Imai with the Astros (three years, $54 million).
Despite a flurry of activity, a significant number of experienced pitchers remain available, creating a complex landscape for teams seeking rotation upgrades. This year’s free-agent class lacked a clear-cut ace, but a defined group of five pitchers initially led the market. With Cease, King, Imai, and now Suárez off the board, all eyes turn to Valdez as the last remaining member of that top tier.
Valdez boasts a more established track record than his former counterparts, having received American League Cy Young consideration in four of the past six seasons. Over 973 innings pitched, he’s accumulated 951 strikeouts – the fifth-most in major League Baseball during that span – alongside a solid 3.23 ERA and a pair of All-Star selections. Though,at age 32,he is highly likely to land a contract more in line with Suárez’s recent deal than the considerably larger commitment given to Cease.
Gallen’s Value Hinges on a Rebound
Zac Gallen’s performance with the D-backs from 2020-2024 was comparable to many of the other top starters available.He posted a 3.34 ERA and a 3.43 FIP,racking up 789 strikeouts over 735 1/3 innings. Gallen even finished in the top-five of National League Cy Young Award voting in both 2022 and 2023.
However, his 2025 campaign proved to be a stark contrast to his previous success, with career-worst numbers in ERA (4.83), FIP (4.50), and strikeout rate (21.5%). Adding to his complexity, Gallen rejected arizona’s qualifying offer, meaning his new team will have to forfeit draft picks to sign him.
Focus on Control and Consistency
For teams prioritizing control, Shota Imanaga stands out. The 30-year-old posted a remarkable 1.82 ERA and 0.95 WHIP over 148 innings for the Cubs in 2024. His 3.72 strikeout-to-walk ratio is among the best in baseball,and he’s proven capable of consistently delivering quality starts.
Similarly, Dylan Littell focuses on limiting walks, boasting a miniscule 4.5% walk rate, which helped him maintain a solid 3.73 ERA over 61 starts despite a relatively low strikeout rate (19.2%).
Versatility and Upside
Several pitchers offer versatility and potential upside. Frankie Martinez has excelled in both relief (2.94 ERA/3.58 FIP in 131 appearances) and starting roles (4.10 ERA/4.19 FIP in 61 starts) since returning from Japan four years ago.
Tommy John Recovery and Potential
A group of pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgery – Buehler (2022), Márquez (2023), and Montgomery (2025) – represent potential gambles for teams seeking rotation depth.
Montgomery, at 33, is the most recent to undergo surgery but remains the closest to his peak form. He posted a 3.20 ERA in 32 starts for the Rangers in 2023 and played a key role in their World Series run. However,his last two seasons with the D-backs yielded a 6.23 ERA over just 117 innings.
Walker Buehler, once a frontline starter for the Dodgers, has struggled since 2022, posting an 84 ERA+ over 54 appearances. After being released by the Red sox following a 5.45 ERA,
