The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly showing interest in free agent right-handed starting pitcher Justin Verlander, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Verlander, soon to be 43 years old next month, is a former three-time Cy Young Award winner and MVP pitcher back in the 2010’s who’s on track to one day end up in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Verlander, despite his age, found some success with the San Francisco Giants last season on a one-year contract, posting a 4-11 record with a 3.85 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 152 innings pitched. The veteran Verlander is a far cry from his former self, but was still effective with the Giants in terms of both innings pitched and strikeout rate (20.7%) and limiting walks to 8 percent of the time. During the first half of the season with the Giants in 2025, the veteran Verlander struggled, posting a 0-7 record with a 4.70 ERA in his first 15 outings, but then posted a 4-4 record with a 2.99 ERA in his remaining 14 starting pitching appearances that season.
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 12: Justin Verlander #35 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after the Giants made a great play to end the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Verlander Still Open To Playing In 2026
Verlander throws six pitches (4-seam fastball, slider, curveball, change-up, sweeper, sinker), in which he first started throwing a newly developed sweeper into his pitching arsenal in 2025, according to Baseball Savant. Verlander, who publicly expressed interest in continuing to pitch in 2026, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, could have something left in the tank when you strictly look at what he did for the San Francisco Giants in 2026, especially in the second and latter half of the season. Verlander also stated towards the conclusion of the 2025 season that “he’d consider anything”, also involving the “possibility of returning to the Giants”, according to Maria Guardado of MLB.com.
Verlander even mentioned that “I think I can go out and make 29-30 plus starts and give our team a chance to win for a few more years, then it’s possible”, said Verlander to Maria Guardado of MLB.com.
The Orioles Can See The Benefit Of Having Verlander
The Orioles could use another starting pitcher, especially a seasoned veteran with a Hall of Fame track record and pedigree, which could be of big help to the younger Orioles starting pitchers on their staff, such as newly acquired starting pitcher Shane Baz. The Orioles also have Cade Povich, Zach Eflin, Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, and Dean Kremer, all of whom could start in the rotation for the team in 2026.
GettyBALTIMORE, MARYLAND – AUGUST 13: Trevor Rogers #28 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
Baltimore is a team known for adding significant bats to their lineup this offseason in slugging first baseman Pete Alonso and right-handed hitting outfielder Taylor Ward. Still, the team has been in the market for starting pitchers all offseason.
If Verlander were to pitch a few more years in the league, he’d be around age 45; it seems he’s physically capable of continuing to pitch, at least for now. Possible suitors, such as the Orioles, in play will make it interesting to see where the future Hall of Famer ultimately lands this offseason, whether that’s a return to San Francisco or going elsewhere.
Any team that acquires Verlander can see the benefit in just his presence within a starting pitching staff for the other players around him, and anything you get from him production-wise at his age is an absolute bonus.
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